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{{essay-like|date=September 2018}}
{{Short description|An approach to dental practice that emphasizes environmental sustainability}}
{{manual|date=September 2018}}
'''Eco-friendly [[dentistry]]''' (also called '''[[environmentally friendly]] dentistry''', '''green dentistry''' or '''sustainable dentistry''') is a [[sustainability]] and [[marketing]] term that refers to the aim of reducing the detrimental impact of dental services on the environment while still being able to adhere to the regulations and standards of the dental industries in their respective countries.
There are no official governing agencies that certify an office as meeting eco-friendly standards. Dental offices in the United States of America can be recognised as eco-friendly offices by becoming members of the [http://ecodentistry.org Eco Dentistry Association]. Within England there are audit programmes available from the National Union of Students such as the Green Impact tool.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sustainability.nus.org.uk/green-impact/articles/how-green-impact-works-in-healthcare|title=How Green Impact works in healthcare @ Sustainability|website=sustainability.nus.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref> People who want to be involved and discuss sustainable dentistry in a free and open forum are invited to be members at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/what-we-do/sustainable-specialties/dentistry|title=Dentistry|date=2015-10-01|work=Centre for Sustainable Healthcare|access-date=2018-08-31|language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
The term eco-friendly dentistry has roots originating from the [[environmental movement]] and [[environmentalism]], which, in the Western world, is often perceived as having begun in the 1960s and 1970s. The rise of this movement is often credited to [[Rachel Carson]],<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rome|first1=Adam|title="Give Earth a Chance": The Environmental Movement and the Sixties|journal=Journal of American History|date=1 September 2003|volume=90|issue=2|pages=525|doi=10.2307/3659443|jstor=3659443}}</ref> conservationist and author of the book [[Silent Spring]]. Subsequently, legislation in many countries throughout the world began gaining momentum in the 1970s and continues to the present day.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Rodgers|first1=William H|title=Giving voice to Rachel Carson: putting science into Environmental Law|journal=Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law|date=2012|volume=28|issue=1|pages=61–69|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/380220471/GIVING-VOICE-TO-RACHEL-CARSON-PUTTING-SCIENCE-INTO-ENVIRONMENTAL-LAW|language=en}}</ref>
Eco-friendliness also has meaning in another context as a [[marketing]] term. It is used by companies to appeal to consumers of goods and services as having a low impact on the environment.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Baker|first1=W. E.|last2=Sinkula|first2=J. M.|title=Environmental Marketing Strategy and Firm Performance: Effects on New Product Performance and Market Share|journal=Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science|date=1 October 2005|volume=33|issue=4|pages=461–475|doi=10.1177/0092070305276119|issn=0092-0703}}</ref> Market research has found that an increasing number of consumers purchase goods and services that appeal to the values of environmental philosophy.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Maly|first1=Kenneth|title=The Role of “Philosophy” in “Environmental Studies” or Why “Environmental Studies” Needs “Philosophy”|journal=Environmental Philosophy|date=2004|volume=1|issue=1|pages=75–78|doi=10.5840/envirophil20041118}}</ref> The dental industry has adopted the concept of eco-friendliness both in a well-meaning, philosophical context and as a marketing term so that patients who subscribe to principles of [[sustainability]] can choose to visit these offices.
The term has been criticised as being used for "[[greenwashing]]", which is the practice of deceptively promoting a product or service as environmentally friendly. Legislation in countries around the world have Trade Commissions and such to stop companies profiting with baseless claims on their goods and services.{{cn|date=September 2018}} Individuals and bodies that work in the dental industry have also subsequently adopted the principles of sustainability and environmentalism and also as an advertisement to patients, clients and consumers. The Eco Dentistry Association is an accreditation organisation in the United States which has proposed outcomes towards becoming more sustainable.
In 2008, the Eco Dentistry Association was co-founded by Dr. Fred Pockrass and his wife, Ina Pockrass. The Eco Dentistry Association (EDA) provides "education, standards and connection" to patients and dentists who practice green dentistry. The EDA aims to help dentists "come up with safe and reusable alternatives that lower a dentists' operating cost by replacing paper with digital media whenever possible."<ref name=greenbiz>[http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/02/04/green-business-teeth "A Green Business with Teeth"]</ref> As of February 2011, the EDA has approximately 600 members.<ref name=greenbiz />. After the inception of the EDA, the dental industry in America saw more [[dentists]] and oral surgeons choosing to make their offices environmentally friendly.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thenewdentist.net/Library/pdf/Fyalka.pdf |title="More Dentists Choosing to Build 'Green' Offices" |access-date=2012-12-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628205946/http://www.thenewdentist.net/Library/pdf/Fyalka.pdf |archive-date=2010-06-28 |dead-url=yes }}</ref>
In 2011, The Australian Dental Association implemented a policy of sustainability to provide guidelines to assist in the environmental sustainability of dental offices in Australia.<ref name=Policy621 /> In August 2017 the FDA adopted a sustainability in dentistry policy<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fdiworlddental.org/resources/policy-statements-and-resolutions/sustainability-in-dentistry|title=Sustainability in Dentistry|date=2017-10-03|work=FDI World Dental Federation|access-date=2018-08-31|language=en}}</ref>
== Elements of eco-friendly dentistry ==
There is a growing amount of scientific information regarding the carbon footprint of the dental industry. These include papers by Duane relating to work carried out in Scotland and more recently England.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Duane|first1=B.|last2=Hyland|first2=J.|last3=Rowan|first3=J.S.|last4=Archibald|first4=B.|date=September 2012|title=Taking a bite out of Scotland's dental carbon emissions in the transition to a low carbon future|journal=Public Health|volume=126|issue=9|pages=770–777|doi=10.1016/j.puhe.2012.05.032|pmid=22902137}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Duane|first1=B.|date=24 October 2014|title=Green Dentistry: Motivating change|journal=British Dental Journal|volume=217|issue=8|pages=388|doi=10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.915|pmid=25342330}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Duane|first=B.|last2=Lee|first2=M. Berners|last3=White|first3=S.|last4=Stancliffe|first4=R.|last5=Steinbach|first5=I.|date=2017-10-27|title=An estimated carbon footprint of NHS primary dental care within England. How can dentistry be more environmentally sustainable?|url=http://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2017.839|journal=BDJ|language=En|volume=223|issue=8|pages=589–593|doi=10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.839|issn=0007-0610}}</ref>
Recently, Public Health England published a report on the carbon footprint of NHS England dentistry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carbon-modelling-within-dentistry-towards-a-sustainable-future|title=Carbon modelling within dentistry: towards a sustainable future|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=2018-08-31}}</ref> The report based on 2014 data provides a number of recommendations for the dental team in England to consider. The report demonstrated the considerable contribution of staff and patient travel to the overall carbon footprint.
To be environmentally responsible, offices can incorporate the four R's of environmental responsibility. The four R's are: reduce, reuse, recycle & rethink.
<ref name="Rastogi2014">{{cite journal|last1=Rastogi|first1=Varun|title=Green Dentistry, A Metamorphosis Towards an Eco-Friendly Dentistry: A Short Communication|journal=Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research|volume=8|issue=7|pages=ZM01–2|date=2014|doi=10.7860/JCDR/2014/8084.4556|pmid=25177666|pmc=4149172}}</ref>
[[File:The 4 R's of environmental responsibility.png|thumb|The 4 R's of environmental responsibility]]
[[File:The 4 R's of environmental responsibility.png|thumb|The 4 R's of environmental responsibility]]
=== Reduce ===
[[File:Amalgam.jpg|thumb|Amalgam]] Mercury is traditionally used in dental restorations known as amalgam|thumb]]
'''Eco-friendly dentistry''', also known as '''green dentistry''', is a practice of [[dentistry]] that aims to reduce the environmental impact of dental procedures and promote sustainability. This approach involves the implementation of environmentally friendly practices in dental offices, the use of sustainable materials, and the reduction of waste and energy consumption.
Having a [[Paperless office|paperless]] dental office reduces or eliminates the use of paper by going digital. This involves converting patient files, medical histories and other documentation to an electronic system. Going paperless not only makes information sharing easier and accessible but is a great way of keeping personal information secure. This saves money, boosts productivity and saves space as there is no need for any filing cabinets and is a great way of ensuring clinical records are more accurate.<ref name=Rastogi2014 />
Using [[digital radiography]] allows to keep all the patients' records in one spot, reduces the amount of radiation exposure and images and clinical photographs can be shared without losing the quality of the image.<ref name=Rastogi2014 />
=== Reuse ===
====Clean Water====
In many countries around the world there are strict mandatory limits on the use of mercury and the levels found in wastewater. [[File:Amalgam.jpg|thumb|Amalgam]] Mercury is traditionally used in dental restorations known as amalgam. In October 2013, Australia's Department of the Environment and Energy signed The Minamata Convention in a call for the reduction of amalgam usage by means of nine measures aiming to eventually phase out the use of amalgam.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minamata Convention on Mercury and Dental Amalgam|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/b8cb9454-2686-438d-a361-a44b13c96ec6/files/minamata-convention-mercury-dental-factsheet.pdf}}</ref> [[Mercury (element)|Mercury]] can be released into the environment when amalgam is placed, finished and polished or removed from a patient mouth and can be either rinsed into sewage systems or disposed of in landfill. By complying with the Australian Dental Association (ADA) Policy 6.11<ref name=Policy611>{{cite web|title=Policy Statement 6.11 – Dental Amalgam Waste Management|url=https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Professionals/Policies/Dental-Practice/6-11-Dental-Amalgam-Waste-Management/ADAPolicies_6-11_DentalAmalgamWasteManagement_V1|website=Australian Dental Association}}</ref> and the current edition of the International Organization for Standardization ISO11143 Dentistry – Amalgam Separators,<ref>{{cite web|title=ISO 11143:2008|url=https://www.iso.org/standard/42288.html|website=International Organization for Standardization}}</ref> reducing the amount of mercury entering the environment by means of installing amalgam separators and traps to collect and separate amalgam waste before it enters the sewage system. Amalgam that is collected from traps is then collected and recycled for reuse.<ref name=Policy621>{{cite web|title=Policy Statement 6.21 – Dentistry and Sustainability|url=https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Professionals/Policies/Dental-Practice/6-21-Dentistry-and-Sustainability/ADAPolicies_6-21_DentistryandSustainability_V|website=Australian Dental Association}}</ref>
With the phasing out of manual processing of radiographs and switching to digital radiography allows for offices not having to purchase developing liquids and these liquids are harmful to the environment and need to be collected to be disposed of correctly.<ref name=Ecofriendly>{{cite web|title=Eco-friendly Dentistry: Need of Future. An Overview|url=http://www.jdas.in/temp/JDentAlliedSci6122-3001659_005001.pdf}}</ref><ref name=Policy611 /><ref name=Policy621 />
====Water management====
<br>• Installing a [[Water metering|water meter]] to monitor water usage.
<br>• Handwashing sinks with [[Automatic faucet|motion-activated taps]].
<br>• Collect the water bills for the last year to benchmark a water usage audit.
<br>• Place interpretive signs about water conservation in staff rooms, toilets and surgeries.
<br>• Maintain and repair taps or fittings<ref name=sustainability>{{cite journal|title=Sustainability in Orthodontics: what can we do to save our planet?|url=http://www.scielo.br/pdf/dpjo/v22n4/2176-9451-dpjo-22-04-00113.pdf}}</ref>.
<br>• Use a non-water-based approach to cleaning where possible.
<br>• Retro flow controllers in key usage areas<ref name=sustainability />
<br>• Install 4-, 5- or 6-star water efficient appliances where appropriate.
=== Recycle ===
==Principles of Eco-friendly Dentistry==
Eco-friendly dentistry is based on several key principles that guide dental practices towards sustainability:
Dental practices can [[Paper_recycling|recycle paper]], cardboard, aluminum and plastics from plastic barriers and other water products contributing to sustainable environmentally friendly practices. Autoclave bags can be separated after opening and the paper and plastic recycled separately.
===Reduction of Waste===
One of the primary goals of eco-friendly dentistry is to minimize waste production. This can be achieved by:
* Using digital [[radiography]] instead of traditional X-rays, which reduces the need for chemical processing and film waste.
* Implementing digital record-keeping to eliminate paper waste.
* Encouraging the use of reusable or biodegradable products, such as cloth bibs and biodegradable cups.
To become more eco-friendly or environmentally friendly dental practices can purchase [[Biodegradable_waste|biodegradable]] products therefore allowing more waste associated with the running of the practice to be recycled. Shredding of paper documents and recycling shredded paper will contribute to sustainable practices.
===Energy Efficiency===
Dental practices can reduce their energy consumption by:
* Installing energy-efficient lighting, such as LED lights.
* Using energy-efficient dental equipment and appliances.
* Implementing smart thermostats and energy management systems to optimize energy use.
=== Rethink ===
===Water Conservation===
Water conservation is another important aspect of eco-friendly dentistry. Practices can conserve water by:
* Installing low-flow faucets and toilets.
* Using waterless vacuum systems.
* Educating staff and patients about water-saving techniques.
According to the Eco Dentistry Association, eco-friendly dentistry involves taking initiative to build a dental environment by sustainable practices and materials. However, eco-friendly dentistry is not bound by only sustainable manufacturing distribution, waste reduction, pollution prevention, energy conservation, water conservation, patient care and workplace policies. Eco-friendly dentistry is about leadership and innovation. Influencing others around them to part-take in the cause. Eco-friendly dentistry needs to be widespread to make a large impact on the environment and on the dental industry. It is important to create and implement educational programs to enlighten others to follow. Eco-friendly dentistry is about being innovative, discovering new ideas and ways to promote environmentally safe practices.
===Sustainable Materials===
Eco-friendly dentistry promotes the use of sustainable materials, including:
* Biodegradable or recyclable dental products.
* Non-toxic and mercury-free [[dental amalgam]] alternatives.
* Environmentally friendly cleaning and sterilization products.
== References ==
===Pollution Prevention===
Preventing pollution is crucial in eco-friendly dentistry. This can be achieved by:
* Proper disposal of hazardous waste, such as amalgam and lead foils.
* Using air filtration systems to reduce indoor air pollution.
* Choosing suppliers and products that adhere to environmental standards.
While eco-friendly dentistry offers many advantages, there are challenges to its implementation:
* Initial costs for upgrading equipment and facilities can be high.
* Training staff to adopt new practices and technologies requires time and resources.
* Balancing eco-friendly practices with patient care and regulatory requirements.
==Related Pages==
* [[Sustainable dentistry]]
* [[Environmental impact of dentistry]]
* [[Dental waste management]]
* [[Green healthcare]]
{{dentistry}}
{{stub}}
[[Category:Dentistry]]
[[Category:Dentistry]]
[[Category:Sustainable building]]
[[Category:Sustainability]]
{{dictionary-stub1}}
[[Category:Environmental impact]]
Latest revision as of 19:21, 23 March 2025
An approach to dental practice that emphasizes environmental sustainability
The 4 R's of environmental responsibilityAmalgam
Mercury is traditionally used in dental restorations known as amalgam|thumb]]
Eco-friendly dentistry, also known as green dentistry, is a practice of dentistry that aims to reduce the environmental impact of dental procedures and promote sustainability. This approach involves the implementation of environmentally friendly practices in dental offices, the use of sustainable materials, and the reduction of waste and energy consumption.
