Eco-dentistry

What is green dentistry?

Green dentistry (also known as eco dentistry) is an environmentally friendly way of practising dentistry. It involves using methods and machines to reduce waste, conserve energy and decrease pollution. Aside from helping to protect the environment, going green can also help to save money and time.

In this day and age everyone is doing their bit to preserve the environment and an increasing number of dentists are taking steps to help save the environment; from switching to different types of technology to turning off taps and lights, every little helps.

Currently, the amount of waste generated by dental practices around the world is staggering and a huge amount of water and electricity are also wasted each year. Green dentistry helps to identify simple measures dentists and their patients can take to reduce waste and conserve energy, as well as promoting awareness of the environment and getting local communities involved in green living.

Some popular examples of green-dentistry are outlined below:

  • Conserving energy

Dental practices use a huge amount of electricity but this could be reduced by using certain types of machines instead of others, turning off lights, using motion sensors and replacing traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient versions.

  • Conserving water

Dental surgeries waste a lot of water on an annual basis. This is usually the result of leaving taps running while dentists clean patient's teeth and when staff and patients wash their hands. Simply turning the tap off during washing will save a huge amount of water over a period of time; this will reduce monthly bills and contribute positively to the environment.

  • Reducing radiation

Switching to digital X-rays rather than conventional X-rays reduces the amount of radiation sent into the universe by up to 90 percent. The quality of the images is also better and dentists can save a huge amount of money because they no longer have to print X-rays on paper. By switching to digital X-rays, it is estimated that each dental surgery would prevent the disposal of around 200 litres of toxic dental X-ray fixer and more than 7,200 lead foils over a five year period.

  • Recycling

So many materials and items commonly found in a dentist's surgery can be recycled, including paper or plastic cups, paper, magazines, general waste and cloths. Recycling helps to reduce costs as well as cutting down on waste.

  • Using technology

Nowadays, most companies depend on computer technology to do accounts, keep client records, make appointments, communicate with clients and other companies, pay bills, online banking and many other important everyday functions. Dental practices are becoming increasingly reliant on computers but some are still using paper records, appointment books and paper forms, which means a significant amount of paper is being used. Using online databases for patient records, an online appointment system and an online payment system could help to eliminate paper usage and will make the system much more efficient and accurate.

  • Other ideas

Protecting the environment is a global effort and everyone should be doing their bit to help out so an increasing number of dentists are getting together with patients and other dental practices in the local area to find new ways of conserving the environment. Possible schemes may include recycling, taking part in events which are designed to raise awareness of environmental matters or sharing lifts; Kissdental in Manchester have recently started a car pooling initiative, which means that staff share lifts to work rather than each person taking their own car. Small steps can soon add up to make a huge difference when green dentists make the effort.

Dealing with hazardous substances

Many people will probably be unaware of the risks associated with several chemicals and materials used on a daily basis in dental surgeries but this is an issue that has been highlighted in reference to green dentistry. Some of the materials used in dental offices can potentially be very harmful to the environment; amalgam, for example can be hazardous to unborn babies. Amalgam is used in fillings and contains mercury. Most practices still use mercury as the non-mercury fillings are much more expensive and many people cannot afford them.

Mercury from dental offices ends up in the central sewage networks, where it can be converted into a toxic substance known as methylmercury. This can be passed onto humans when they eat fish or shellfish, which have been exposed to the substance. Mercury can be very damaging for pregnant women as it can affect the development of the foetus.

Currently, there is no law in place which requires dentists to purchase a mercury separating machine. These machines separate the mercury from the amalgam fillings and it can then be recycled and reused. Installing mercury separating machines would help to reduce the amount of mercury discarded into the water system by around 3.7 tons per year.

What difference will green dentistry make?

It is easy for people to be sceptical and wonder what kind of difference simply turning a few light bulbs off and recycling some paper will do. However, research has shown that making simple changes can make a huge difference to the environment in a very short space of time.

  • Switching to digital X-rays will help to eliminate paper wastage, which will contribute to slowing climate change, reducing deforestation and reducing the disposal of toxic substances, including X-ray fixer and lead foils.
  • Using motion sensors and energy efficient light bulbs will help to reduce the carbon footprint and reduce the amount of energy wasted by the surgery.
  • Switching to tooth coloured fillings will help to reduce the amount of mercury which is disposed of in the water systems, to allow for a greater level of green dentistry.
  • Switching to cloths instead of disposable bibs and using reusable cups rather than paper cups will help to reduce the amount of waste generated by a dental office. If the practice wants to keep using disposable items, then they should take steps to reduce waste by recycling the products.
  • As well as helping to protect the environment, deciding to go green can also reduce costs and lower bills. Estimated savings include:
  • Switching to reusable cups rather than paper cups could save up to £140 per year.
  • Using digital X-rays and switching to computerised records instead of using paper records could save up to £5,600 per year.
  • Using tooth coloured fillings instead of mercury fillings could save around £23,000 per year.
  • Using motion sensors and energy efficient light bulbs could save around £380 per year.

Tips for patients

Patients can also do their bit to help the environment. Ideas to help out include turning off the taps when washing your hands, sharing lifts to or from the dentist or using public transport (where possible) and recycling waste. The drive for greener dentistry is still in its infancy so there is no doubt that more improvement is needed.