Indian Health Service to phase out mercury dental fillings by 2027

Advocates say IHS patients shouldn't receive treatment considered antiquated in the private sector

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Indian Health Service, which provides health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives, has announced it will phase out the use of dental fillings containing mercury by 2027. The use of mercury-containing amalgams, also known as "silver fillings", has declined sharply since 2009 when the FDA reclassified them as moderate risk. The IHS says it will fully implement the move to mercury-free alternatives by 2027, as environmental and health concerns about mercury exposure have prompted the change.

Why it matters

The use of mercury-containing fillings has been largely abandoned in the private dental sector in favor of plastic resin alternatives, but IHS patients who may not have access to private dentistry have continued to receive the treatment considered antiquated by many dentists. This decision upholds the U.S. government's legal responsibilities to the 575 federally recognized tribes.

The details

The percentage of the IHS'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 IHS, cited growing environmental and health concerns about mercury exposure, as well as global efforts to reduce materials containing the hazardous heavy metal, as prompting the change.

  • The IHS will fully implement the move to mercury-free alternatives by 2027.
  • The percentage of IHS patients receiving mercury-containing fillings declined from 12% in 2005 to 2% in 2023.

The players

Indian Health Service

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

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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

Rochelle Diver

The UN 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 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 (Press Release)

“The rest of the world is light years ahead of us.”

— Rochelle Diver, UN environmental treaties coordinator, International Indian Treaty Council (abqjournal.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 (abqjournal.com)

What’s next

The IHS says it will fully implement the move to mercury-free alternatives by 2027.

The takeaway

This decision by the Indian Health Service to phase out the use of mercury-containing dental fillings by 2027 is an important step in protecting the health of Native American and Alaska Native patients who may not have access to private dentistry options. It aligns the IHS with global efforts to reduce the use of hazardous mercury materials.