Indian Health Service to phase out mercury dental fillings by 2027

The federal agency that provides healthcare to Native Americans will transition to mercury-free alternatives.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Indian Health Service, which provides healthcare to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, has announced it will phase out the use of dental fillings containing mercury by 2027. The agency has used these mercury-containing fillings, known as dental amalgams or 'silver fillings', for decades, but growing environmental and health concerns have prompted the change. The transition to mercury-free alternatives is part of a global effort to reduce the use of the hazardous heavy metal.

Why it matters

Native American rights and industry advocates have long called for an end to the use of mercury-containing dental fillings, arguing they expose patients who may not have access to private dentistry to a harmful neurotoxin. The move by the Indian Health Service puts the U.S. ahead of a global schedule to phase out mercury-containing dental amalgams, but the country still lags behind many other developed nations that have already banned the practice.

The details

The Indian Health Service says it will fully implement the move to mercury-free alternatives by 2027. Already, the percentage of the Indian Health Service's roughly 2.8 million patient user population receiving mercury-containing fillings has declined from 12% in 2005 to 2% in 2023. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Indian Health Service, cited growing environmental and health concerns about mercury exposure, as well as global efforts to reduce materials containing the hazardous heavy metal, as the reasons for the change.

  • In 2005, 12% of Indian Health Service patients received mercury-containing dental fillings.
  • By 2023, the percentage of Indian Health Service patients receiving mercury-containing fillings had declined to 2%.
  • The Indian Health Service will fully implement the transition to mercury-free dental fillings by 2027.

The players

Indian Health Service

The federal agency that provides healthcare to Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The government department that oversees the Indian Health Service.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Health Secretary who said the move to mercury-free dental fillings is a "commonsense step that protects patients and prevents harm before it starts."

Rochelle Diver

The U.N. environmental treaties coordinator for the International Indian Treaty Council, who said IHS patients should not receive treatment that is considered antiquated by many dentists.

Charles G. Brown

The president of the World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry, who said patients relying on government services may not have a choice in the type of dental fillings they receive.

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What they’re saying

“This is a commonsense step that protects patients and prevents harm before it starts.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Health Secretary (wral.com)

“The rest of the world is light years ahead of us. IHS patients should not receive treatment that is considered antiquated by many dentists.”

— Rochelle Diver, U.N. environmental treaties coordinator, International Indian Treaty Council (wral.com)

“If you're on Medicaid, if you are stuck in the Indian Health Service, if you were stuck in a prison or other institution, you just don't have any choice.”

— Charles G. Brown, President, World Alliance for Mercury-Free Dentistry (wral.com)

What’s next

The Indian Health Service says it will fully implement the transition to mercury-free dental fillings by 2027.

The takeaway

The Indian Health Service's decision to phase out mercury-containing dental fillings by 2027 is a significant step in protecting the health of Native American and Alaska Native patients, who have historically had limited access to private dentistry options. This move aligns the U.S. with global efforts to reduce the use of the hazardous heavy metal, though the country still lags behind many other developed nations that have already banned the practice.