The most economical dental procedures could also be those that are long-term.
People who value sustainability choose to utilise fewer wasteful or damaging products in their daily lives. Even dental facilities are starting to employ more eco-friendly practices.
Across the past ten years, environmental awareness and sustainable business practices have gained importance among businesses and consumers all over the world. However, most people often identify these programs with for-profit corporations rather than their neighborhood dental office.
However, all dentists should begin focusing on more environmentally friendly dental procedures. For those that are forward-thinking enough to include sustainability in their operational processes, there can be a number of advantages.
Challenges to Come
We all need to be aware of the significant obstacles that still need to be overcome because sustainability isn't something that can be achieved overnight. There can be a lot of waste in medicine, including dentistry. There are various ways we can all reduce our carbon footprints, from unused medications to excessive travel and single-use plastics.
Recycling products is one of the key steps we are already taking. Sustainability, however, extends beyond a reduction in plastic. What else can dentists, oral health therapists, and the rest of the dental team do to improve the way in which routine dental care is provided? How can we help our patients become more accountable as well? We must consider the wider picture if we want to act more responsibly.
How to practice sustainable dentistry
Here are just a few concepts that is worthwhile considering.
Decrease the number of appointments
Consider your approach to appointments carefully as one strategy to reduce carbon emissions. We can advise patients to schedule lengthier dental appointments so they can receive the necessary dental care rather than scheduling numerous brief dental sessions. Many services and organizations may reduce their carbon footprint by employing tele dentistry to deliver follow-up dental care. This will result in fewer vehicles on the road as well as less inconvenience for patients. Additionally, it indicates that fewer resources will be required.
Promoting Prevention
All dental professionals should promote good oral hygiene practices. However, we can lessen people's need for therapy by putting more of emphasis on lifestyle instruction. By promoting prevention, we can lessen dependence on dental care while also assisting individuals in leading healthier lives. As a result, less money is wasted on treating gum disease and tooth decay that could be avoided.
Eliminating Paper
Going paperless might be one of the early solutions that is more expensive and time-consuming. We are rapidly moving toward a digital world. Paper notes are no longer used. In addition to being a nuisance to store, dental records are also highly time-consuming to search through in order to obtain information. Information kept on computers is both easier to obtain and more secure. Furthermore, it
uses fewer space and resources, like paper.
You can manage your practice almost entirely electronically with some dental software. Without the need for paper, everything from medical histories and treatment plans to obtain written consent may
be done.
Managing Waste
The management of waste in healthcare is extremely difficult. One of the most important actions dental clinics can take is to properly segregate their trash. Pay attention to what you put in which bin by labelling it appropriately. Position them wisely. For instance, larger recycling bins in reception areas are more likely to increase paper usage. Alternatively, you may have a larger recycling can and a smaller general waste bin in the decontamination room's clean section. This may motivate employees to recycle wherever possible.
Keep clinical waste separate and recycle cardboard, paper, and sterile plastics to lessen pollution from combustion. Put non-contaminated waste in the regular trash. Due to time constraints, it is relatively simple to put all your trash into the bins during the day. However, this won't be environmentally friendly and will significantly raise your disposal costs.
Use of Energy and Radiography
Switching from halogen to LED lighting is among the simplest modifications to make in order to save energy and money. Since LEDs are typically 70% more efficient than traditional lighting, they require less upkeep, last longer, and provide the potential for significant cost savings. Similar to medical professionals, many dental professionals still use halogen operator lights.
They can heat up very quickly, putting patients and employees at risk of burning. They are not cost-effective because they need to be replaced frequently. Unlike LEDs, they don't produce a distinct pattern of light. Making the transition gives enhanced visibility for clinicians and keeps out of patients' sight while also being longer-term safer and less expensive.
Digital x-rays have emerged as one of the most significant developments in the medical industry. Traditional x-rays require a lot of labour and are ultimately more expensive constant repurchasing of film developer and fixer solutions. Additionally, they produce hazardous chemical waste including silver and lead that has detrimental effects on the environment and leads to higher exposure to radiation.
A by-product called lead foil is kept in the topsoil, where it can linger for up to 2,000 years. It eventually finds its way into our food supply since plants may easily absorb it. Lead is neurotoxic. However, one of the main advantages of adopting digital is time savings and being more environmentally friendly. Images are created in less than a second and can be seen right away. Conventional films, in contrast, require several minutes to process.
Overuse of Antibiotics
Overuse of antibiotics has been a major topic for a while. It causes widespread antibiotic resistance, which makes treating the disease more challenging. However, the effects on the environment have received less attention. The pharmaceutical industry has a much larger carbon footprint than the automotive manufacturing industry in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. However, this generates many effluents, eventually ruining the ecology.
Pharmaceutical chemicals are not completely filtered out in wastewater treatment facilities. Many of these chemicals end up in natural environments where they pose a serious risk of harm. Incorrectly dumped drugs (down the toilet or sink) have the same effect on the environment. Professionals must cooperate and exercise caution by only prescribing when it is absolutely essential. Treatment facilities must have the proper filtering and degrading systems in place. The general population can exercise extra caution while properly discarding their unwanted or expired prescriptions. Returning them to your pharmacy or chemist is the best way to accomplish this.
Use of Plastic and Single-Use Items
Plastic is becoming more and more common in dentistry since it is a secure, hygienic, affordable, and readily accessible material. However, it simply takes a moment to consider how much we actually use each day from sterile instrument bags to disposable aprons, plastic barriers, and gloves. You could now counter that all of this is necessary to safely treat patients.
Reduced Use of Amalgam
An important component of numerous dental procedures is amalgam. It is not, however, easily biodegradable or good for the environment as a whole. Some dental offices should carefully consider how much amalgam they actually utilize as a result. Some sources advise using an entirely different substance. For instance, some sustainable medical facilities only employ resin-based substitutes. Our need for innovation will grow along with the need for sustainable materials.
Conclusion
Environmentally friendly approaches that focus on the prevention, screening, and monitoring of systemic health issues can improve dental health and overall well-being. Dentistry must be done morally, with a focus on quality and safety, and efficiently using all available resources, including manpower, supplies, time, and equipment. Sustainability encompasses the oral health professional's broader commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Respecting future generations' access to a world with enough natural resources is important.
