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posed by mercury and its compounds and to prepare a number of documents such as the document “Guidance for identifying populations at risk from mercury exposure” (25). In 2009, UNEP was requested to convene an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) with the mandate to prepare the global legally-binding instrument on mercury, commencing its work in 2010 with the goal of completing it prior to the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in 2013. The GC provided a detailed mandate for the INC and noted that measures could include both binding and voluntary approaches. 2 Objectives of the WHO meeting in 2009 In response to the various initiatives on mercury and the request from Member States for guidance, the WHO Global Oral Health Programme – in cooperation with UNEP Chemicals - organized a two-day meeting to discuss the implications and the way forward. The overall aim of the meeting was: § To assess the scientific evidence available on use of dental restorative materials, including dental amalgam, and the implications of using alternatives to amalgam for dental restorative care. Specific objectives were: § To assess the feasibility (appropriateness, efficacy, safety) of using dental restorative materials alternative to dental amalgam, particularly the potential for use in populations of countries around the world. § To assess the potential side-effects and hazards to health of existing materials for restorative dental care. § To highlight the cost implications of alternative dental restorative materials for oral healthcare for different populations, particularly relevant to the situation in low-and middle income countries. § To highlight the environmental concerns of mercury pollution from the dental sector, and the effect and implications of occupational exposure 8 Oral Health Programme from mercury for dental personnel. § To suggest principal strategies for further reduction in contamination of the environment from mercury due to dentistry. 3 Outline of the structure of the meeting Twenty-nine participants from 15 countries of all six WHO regions attended the meeting, representing ministries of health, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), dental professionals, university academics, UNEP, scientists, and WHO CCs. A list of participants is appended in Annex 1 and the meeting agenda in Annex 2. Dr Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General, Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health, addressed the welcome introduction and opened the meeting. He emphasized the importance of this meeting and that WHO was giving the issue of oral health care serious consideration. He looked forward to the conclusions and recommendations to be circulated to all member states. Mr Per Bakken, Director, UNEP Chemicals, outlined the work of UNEP leading to this consultation meeting and the implications for future activities. Dr Poul Erik Petersen then summarized the oral health context of restorative dental care and presented the scope, purpose, objectives and structure of the meeting. Professor Ramon J. Baez was elected Chair, while Dr Stella Kwan and Dr Hiroshi Ogawa were elected rapporteurs. A number of presentations and discussion followed (Annex 2). Day One discussed the availability of different restorative materials, their advantages and disadvantages, and potential adverse effects on health and the environment. Experience from both developed and developing countries of all WHO regions was shared in Day Two, which implications for oral health care were highlighted. The role of WHO, UNEP, NGOs such as IADR and FDI, and the industry was emphasized. 4. Types of dental restorative materials Two types of restorative materials are commonly used in dentistry; they are designated depending on whether they can be applied directly to the tooth or require fabrication of the restoration in the dental laboratory. Dental materials are used for direct restoration of a tooth in order to save its function while indirect materials include pre-formed metal crowns, dental porcelain, and cast restorations. The principal