Author: Claire McCarthy , Senior Director of Program & Process Excellence
Innovation and exceptional patient care have always been the cornerstone of successful dental practices. In a world that continues to evolve digitally in the pursuit of more convenient service, this is the perfect moment for practices to embrace more efficient workflows. While the benefits of cloud-based practice management systems are often celebrated for improving organisation, their role in advancing environmental sustainability and driving costs down are just as crucial – and frequently overlooked.
Beyond Paper Reduction: A Greener Approach to Practice Management
In the UK alone, households discard enough paper each year to account for the loss of six trees.[i] But in dental practices, the impact of paper-based systems goes far beyond deforestation. These traditional methods contribute to higher energy consumption, the need for physical storage space and increased transport requirements – all of which contribute towards inflating the carbon footprint of a practice.
Digital practice management solutions offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative. Cloud-based systems tackle these challenges head-on, delivering a host of environmental and operational benefits, including:
- Reducing energy consumption by eliminating the need for bulky, outdated servers that consume excessive power and require cooling.
- Cutting the need for printing, storing and transporting vast amounts of paperwork, which not only saves trees but also reduces waste and emissions.
- Freeing up valuable physical space in practices and admin areas.
- Minimising travel for document delivery and physical system maintenance.
A recent case study[ii] illustrates this transformation. Within just 12 months, a dental practice using a cloud-based solution eliminated the need to print more than 180,000 pieces of paper – saving 18.5 trees, £1,095 in paper costs and £2,822 in printing expenses. This shift from paper to digital represents more than just operational efficiency; it is a tangible step toward reducing environmental impact and lowering unnecessary costs.
Aligning with modern patient expectations
Today’s patients expect seamless digital experiences in every aspect of their lives – from banking to shopping and, of course, healthcare. They want the same digital convenience from their dental providers as they receive from their online shopping experience. By offering online appointment confirmations, electronic forms and cloud-accessible patient records, practices meet these expectations while making the patient journey smoother and more sustainable in return.
Digital workflows enable patients to complete their medical history forms from the comfort of their homes or on in-practice tablets, reducing paperwork and time that can be better spent reviewing oral hygiene advice provided by the practice. Treatment plans and invoices can all be shared electronically, cutting waste and fostering clearer communication between patients and dental teams. It also allows forms to be easily accessed by both patient and clinician for review, without delving into paperwork stored in office spaces.
In all, this not only enhances patient satisfaction but also promotes a more sustainable and cleaner way of delivering care.
Smarter workflows and stronger teams
For dental professionals, digital solutions offer speedier access to patient information and more consistent communication within the internal team. Practices operating in the cloud face fewer disruptions from hardware failures and can implement system updates seamlessly.
The importance of speed is also seen in the marginal gains throughout the day. Quicker, simpler access to patient information and treatment plans means individuals spend less time in the dental chair, for more efficient appointments – clinicians can in turn see more people throughout the day, supporting a wider community.
Laying the groundwork for net zero
By embracing digital workflows today, dental practices are positioning themselves as leaders in sustainability for tomorrow. Cloud-based systems facilitate easier upgrades, scalability without the burden of physical infrastructure, and integration with emerging technologies that align with net-zero objectives.
Sensei Cloud: empowering smarter, more sustainable service
When it comes to ensuring reliability, security and efficiency, choosing the right technology partner is paramount. Sensei Cloud from Sensei, the practice and patient management brand of Carestream Dental, empowers dental teams to work more efficiently with a solution they can trust. With secure cloud hosting, intuitive workflows and remote accessibility, Sensei Cloud supports practices in delivering exceptional patient care while also making a positive impact on the environment.
Digital practice management solutions offer exceptional benefits to any modern dental practice. From in-house efficiency to greener outcomes, its essential that clinicians consider upgrading to a cloud-based system to make the most of each practice’s potential.
To learn more about how Sensei Cloud can help your practice thrive, visit gosensei.co.uk
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[i] https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/your-waste/paper-recycling/paper-waste-facts-and-statistics/#:~:text=Paper%20waste%20statistics,-There%20are%20loads&text=The%20world%20produces%20more%20than,of%20paper%20comes%20from%20trees
[ii] Sensei, (2024). A carbon-neutral future for NHS through digital innovation. (Online) Available at: https://gosensei.co.uk/pages/case-study-a-carbon-neutral-future-for-nhs-through-digital-innovation [Accessed April 2025]
