Abstract: Objective: This study aims to investigate the current application status of dental amalgam in dental healthcare instituions in China, to provide a basis for the Chinese government to fulfill its obligations and formulate policies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was adopted to conduct a questionnaire survey among Chinese dentists, dental institutions and manufacturing enterprises on clinical application, dentists’ attitudes, departmental supervision, production and sales, etc. Quantitative description was calculated by mean and standard deviation, qualitative description was calculated by the number of cases and percentages, and chi-square test was used for categorical data, with P<0.05. Results: Only 8.4% of the institutions and 6.1% of dentists still used dental amalgam. The main users were secondary general hospitals with dental departments and dental clinics (P<0.001). 44.3% of dentists indicated that they were aware of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The proportion in public institutions was higher than that in private institutions (P<0.001), and the proportion in secondary and above dental specialized hospitals/dental prevention institutions was higher than other types of hospital institutions (P<0.001). The proportion of dentists who agreed with that dental amalgam “should be completely banned ‘or’ can be used with restrictions” were 42.0% and 55.2% respectively. 31.6% of the institutions indicated that they had been subject to mercury-related supervision by relevant departments. The average annual production, domestic sales volume and export sales volume of capsule-type silver amalgam all decreased from 2018 to 2022. Conclusions: China has achieved significant results in fulfilling the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Multiple measures should be continuously taken to reduce and eventually eliminate dental amalgam.

Key words: dental amalgam, Minamata Convention on Mercury, questionnaire survey, clinical practice, China