The Australian Government has approached the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) to assist it quantify the amount of dental amalgam and the work being undertaken to retain it by dentists. This is part of a whole-of-government response to a United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) assessment of the use of mercury. 

Dental amalgam is a commonly used dental restorative material for dental fillings that was first used in Europe during the early 1800s and continues in use today. Its attractiveness stems from its low cost, east of application, strength and durability. Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury with at least one other metal.  The use of dental amalgam containing mercury is not without issue; the Issues Paper "Dental Amalgam Use, Separation & Recycling in Australia" is an overview of dental amalgam safety, pollution, collection and recycling in Australia in the context of the UNEP.