Booklet Launched By Honorable Minister, M.P. Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, M.P., in an Open Forum Entitled “Phase Out Dental Amalgam Use in Bangladesh & Regulation for Ban”

Dhaka, 27 May, 2018: “Effective steps will be taken as soon as possible regarding the establishment of Mercury-free Dentistry in Bangladesh”, said Honorable Minister, Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, M.P., Ministry of Environment and Forest and  inaugurated a new monograph entitled “Mercury-Free Dentistry towards Toxic-Free Oral Health & Environment”. The inauguration event was the central as well as the pre-eminent section of an open forum on “Phase out Dental Amalgam Use in Bangladesh & Regulation for Ban”. The open forum was organized by Environment and Social development Organization-ESDO along with Bangladesh Dental Society-BDS on 3.00 pm at 3D Seminar Hall, Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh, Krishi Khamar Sarak, Farmgate, Dhaka.

The Open forum was arranged as one of the most prominent consecutive activities against mercury amalgam in dental treatment. On the very first stage of this journey, Bangladesh signed ‘Minamata convention’, an international treaty to phase out all sorts of mercury uses to protect human health and environment from its fatal effects. On 10 March, 2018 BDS made a declaration that mercury dental amalgam should not be used in the treatment of pregnant women, nursing mother and children after June, 2018. Now, it’s time for Bangladesh to amend regulations against mercury amalgam in dental practices as soon as possible.

Prof. Dr. Humayun Kabir Bulbul, Secretary General, BDS, led the delegation spoke on the consequential detrimental effects of mercury amalgam. Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO; Siddika Sultana, Executive Director, ESDO  assembled at the event.

Dr. Humayun Kabir Bulbul, Secretary General, BDS, said,” The health impacts that mercury poses are alarming especially for pregnant women and young children. Our activities are a prelude to the journey towards the complete eradication of mercury from dentistry.” “‘Mercury-Free Dentistry’ movement is on track to reach agreement at the Minamata convention. To emulate the success, support from Government is a must” he added.

Bangladesh is on the verge of eliminating mercury from dental treatment. All that need is a concrete regulation.” said Syed Marghub Murshed, Former Secretary, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Chairperson of ESDO. He also requested Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud M.P., Ministry of Environment and Forest, to look into the matter on an urgent basis as public health protection should be the major concern of any country.

“Bangladesh Govt. undoubtedly supports and praises this unprecedented joint movement of BDS and ESDO. Effective steps will be taken as soon as possible regarding this issue in association with the Ministry of Health.” said Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest. He also gave promises of an urgent action.

A cognitive resonance about the systematic annihilation of mercury amalgam from dentistry was seen among the dental surgeons and environment activists present at the forum. The event ended with a call for an urgent action to ban mercury amalgam from the attendants.