Disparities in Amalgam use and Mercury levels in children in the United States 2015-2018.

Authors

Kelli Williams, Jagadeesh Puvvula, Aimin Chen, Rueben C Warren, Tanya Khemet Taiwo, Mark A Mitchell

Published in

Journal of the National Medical Association. Volume 118. Issue 6. Pages 101096. Sep 29, 2026. Epub Sep 29, 2026.

Abstract

In the U.S, dental amalgam use declines but remains disproportionately prevalent among children from low socioeconomic status, particularly those under five. Using NHANES 2015-2018 data (n = 6701), we examined amalgam use and blood and urinary mercury levels in children aged 1-19 years. Mexican American children aged 1-5 had a 4-fold prevalence of amalgam restorations (95% CI: 1.74, 11.30) and detectable blood inorganic Hg (11.93%vs. 1.63%; adjRR: 6.17, 95% CI: 1.85, 20.60) compared to white. In this group, children with amalgam restorations had a 25-fold higher prevalence of detectable blood inorganic Hg (95% CI: 11.74, 52.89). Among children aged 3-19, 23.58% had detectable urinary Hg, with the highest levels in Asian children (42.24%vs 17.97% white). Black children had increased risk for detectable Hg levels (adjRR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.12). Our findings revealed significant dental amalgam use disparities, with higher prevalence among children from lower-income households and lower educational attainment.

PMID:
42809917
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 30 Sep 2026.

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