Problem Statement:

The dental industry generates a significant amount of waste each year, with many practices contributing to environmental pollution through their use of non-sustainable materials and practices. For example, in the United States, dental practices generate approximately:

– 1.7 billion sterilization pouches

– 680 million chair barriers, light handle covers, and patient bibs

– 3.7 tons of mercury waste

– 48 million lead foils (conventional x-rays are still used by 40% of dental offices)

– 28 million liters of toxic x-ray fixer (conventional x-rays)

This waste not only harms the environment, but it can also pose health risks to dental professionals and their patients. Fortunately, the adoption of green dentistry practices can help reduce these negative impacts.

Solution:

Green dentistry, also described as eco-friendly or sustainable dentistry, has been described by Dr. Mayank Sharma, a dentist practicing in Seaside, CA as an approach that seeks to reduce the environmental impact of dental practices while also promoting the health and well-being of patients and dental professionals. There are many ways that dental practices can implement green dentistry practices, ranging from simple changes to more complex renovations.

Methodology:

Green dentistry encompasses a wide range of recommendations and actions to reduce the environmental impact of dental practices. While some recommendations require structural changes, such as adequate lighting in the operatories, solar power, and well-ventilated rooms, many recommendations can be easily adopted by any dental practice. Dr. Sharma explains a simple 4 R’s framework for adopting green dentistry practices: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

The 4 R’S

RETHINK:

Rethinking the use of resources in dental practices can make a significant difference in reducing the environmental impact. Practices can consider the following actions:

1. Adopting LED lights with motion sensors can save up to 80% of energy used by traditional light bulbs.
2. Promoting indoor plantation in the office can help reduce indoor pollution and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the practice.
3. Using office furniture made from recycled or reclaimed wood reduces the environmental impact of the practice.
4. Switching to eco-friendly office cleaning products, such as those made from natural and organic ingredients, can help reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and decrease the amount of waste generated by the practice.

REDUCE:

Reducing the use of materials and resources can also make a significant difference in reducing the environmental impact of dental practices. The following actions can be taken:

1. Switching to virtual patient records can help minimize paper usage, saving an average of 10,000 pieces of paper per year for a single dental office.
2. Substituting autoclave wraps with sterilizable cassettes and plastic syringes with glass syringes can reduce waste by up to 90%.
3. Using biodegradable disposable cups instead of plastic cups can reduce the environmental impact of the practice.
4. Using biodegradable or enzymatic cleaners instead of chlorine bleach for cleaning water lines can help reduce chemical exposure and decrease the amount of waste generated by the practice.
5. Proper disposal of amalgam can help reduce mercury pollution, which can have harmful effects on aquatic life and human health.
6. Using a dry dental vacuum system can reduce water usage by up to 90%.
7. Bulk ordering supplies can reduce packaging waste and help save costs.

REUSE:

The reuse of materials and resources can also make a significant difference in reducing the environmental impact of dental practices. The following actions can be taken:

1. Using reusable glass syringes, face shields, dishes, and cutlery in the staff break room can help reduce waste.
2. Switching to cloth sterilization bags and patient barriers can reduce waste by up to 90%.
3. Wearing cloth aprons instead of paper ones can help reduce waste and decrease exposure to harmful chemicals.
4. Switching to stainless steel impression trays and suction tips can reduce waste and improve patient comfort.

RECYCLE:

Recycling should be our last resort, and we need to do a much better job recycling everything that we can. It’s estimated that 85% of the 26,000,000,000 water bottles the US uses each year are NOT recycled and end up as garbage. Creating those bottles uses enough oil to fuel 100,000 cars. Recycling materials and resources can make a significant difference in reducing the environmental impact of dental practices. The following actions can be taken:

1. The big 5 materials, which include aluminum, glass, paper, plastic, and steel, can be recycled and reused.
2. Participating in an instrument recycling program can help turn old instruments into industrial metal, reducing waste.
3. Using a sharps disposal service that recycles needles and syringes into building materials can help reduce waste.
4. Recycling copy paper and choosing a medical shredding service that recycles shredded paper can help reduce the environmental impact of the practice
5. Provide recycling bins for staff break-room waste.

Conclusion:

Green dentistry offers a high-tech approach to reduce the environmental impact of dental practices. By adopting simple practices, such as reducing the use of disposable materials, promoting energy efficiency, and recycling, dental practices can make a significant contribution to environmental sustainability. Dental professionals have an ethical responsibility to reduce the environmental impact of their practices, and adopting green dentistry practices is a positive step towards achieving this goal.