Heading towards more responsible dentistry
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 25th June 2021
In the past few years, there has been a big focus on dentistry becoming a more sustainable industry. In fact, before the pandemic, green dentistry was likely top of the list for many professionals as it was receiving considerable media coverage.
However, the arrival of Covid-19 has meant that eco-friendly dentistry has taken rather a backseat of late, especially when you consider the necessity for increased levels of single-use PPE, more regular use of cleaning products and other measures that have become part of everyday infection control.
But with hope on the horizon, is it time to explore ways to implement more responsible dentistry once again?
The benefits of going green
Unlike before the pandemic, when we look at greener dentistry now we have to consider that certain regulations and protocols – such as enhanced used of PPE – could remain in place in the future. At the time of writing, there is no clear timeline of when any regulations will cease, and this means that to head towards more eco-friendly dentistry now, we need to think outside the box and examine ways to cut down waste, reduce power and be more efficient, without impacting infection control measures.
But what are the benefits? Of course, the greatest benefit is the knowledge that you are doing your part to help preserve our planet, protect wildlife and help safeguard our future. On the other hand, there are more immediate benefits too.
For example, according to research, people are far more likely to want to use eco-friendly services or use their money to support greener businesses.[i] A related survey found that the majority of people would be willing to pay more for a greener product/service than save money and choose a less sustainable option.
For dental practices, this means that going green could be a wonderful marketing opportunity. By making changes and ensuring green credentials are highly visible on your website, social media and other marketing materials, you can help to draw in new patients who prioritise an environmental approach when looking for services.
There’s a further financial benefit – depending on how you take a greener approach you could soon begin to have lower energy bills, less product wastage and be able to streamline your armamentarium, all of which quickly result in less expenditure.
Look at your energy consumption
One source that looked at energy consumption in NHS dental practices found that electricity, gas and other supplies attributed to 15.3% of their total carbon footprint.[ii] That may not sound like much, but if you consider that the total carbon footprint of NHS dentistry is 675 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents, it’s still a significant amount.[iii]
As such, it’s a good idea to see where you can cut energy consumption. The best way to do this is to look at greener energy sources such as solar panels – these may not be an option for every practice, but they are an excellent way to boost your green credentials quickly. If the shift to sustainable energy sources isn’t attainable, you should look at reducing energy use where possible. Energy saving lightbulbs, screensavers on computers, turning off lights when not in use – these small changes can all make a big difference over time.
Are there greener alternatives for your products?
Your armamentarium is likely to have a number of products that could have greener alternatives available. Look for items that have recyclable packaging or which have been designed to create less waste – these products will last longer, giving you better value for money and reducing the amount of waste generated at the same time. You should also look at products that can streamline your armamentarium – a single product that can replace four or five others is always going to result in less waste, especially as you won’t have to throw away expired adhesives and cements.
The new RelyX Universal Resin Cement from 3M Oral Care features a unique automix syringe that results in up to 80% less cement wastage per use and 50% less plastic wastage as well.[iv] Furthermore, due to its versatility it can replace a number of items in your armamentarium, streamlining your restorative process and helping the planet by avoiding the need to constantly replenish expired products.
Remember that small changes make a difference
At this point in time we need to think of the more subtle ways we can become greener and head towards sustainable dentistry. By examining your armamentarium and your energy costs, you can make savings that benefit your practice, your patients and the planet.
For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.3M.co.uk/RelyX-Universal
3M representatives continue to be available via video calling technologies for your convenience.
3M and RelyX are trademarks of the 3M Company. – NB to editors: this line must be included at end of editorial when published
Author: John Rafelt
After finishing his PhD in Chemistry in 1999 at York University, John worked as a food analyst at the Government research laboratories and an advisor on research funding working closely with the European Commission. John joined 3M Oral Care in 2002 and is currently Scientific Affairs Manager for the 3M Oral Care UK and Ireland region. John lectures widely on advancements in dental materials and regularly writes articles on the same topic for the dental press.
[i] Carbon and More. Do Consumers Prefer Eco-Friendly Companies? Link: https://www.carbonandmore.com/do-consumers-prefer-eco-friendly-companies/ [Last accessed March 21].
[ii] Duane, B. et al. Environmentally Sustainable Dentistry: Energy Use Within The Dental Practice. British Dental Journal. 2019: 226(5); 367-373.
[iii] Duane, B. et al. An Estimated Carbon Footprint of NHS Primary Dental Care Within England. How Can Dentistry Be More Environmentally Sustainable. British Dental Journal. 2017: 223(8):589-593
[iv] Per application when compared to currently available standard automix systems – 3M internal data.
