Environmentally Sustainable Solutions for Modern Dental Practices
The healthcare industry at large, and the dental sector specifically, have enormous carbon footprints. According to one analysis, the healthcare sector is responsible for 10 percent of the country’s annual global footprint, and dentistry accounts for three percent.
Reducing this footprint is broadly popular among dental professionals and their patients. A survey of dental professionals found that nearly 75 percent “liked the idea of an environmentally friendly dental practice,” while almost 99 percent said they would take “some steps toward environmental awareness in their practice.”
Similarly, patients are prioritizing green healthcare solutions. Whether they are researching the products used in treatment plans or a practice’s carbon footprint, patients are increasingly willing to make decisions based on a practice’s attention to the environment.
As the British Dental Association wrote last year, “There is no doubt that before long the majority of patients will choose a green dental practice over one that uses environmentally harmful products. This is an opportunity for us all — a small change that, if taken collectively, can help improve our world.”
And yet, identifying needed change is entirely different than actually enacting it. Don’t be discouraged. Incorporating high-tech innovations into your practice can be a simple way to start making progress toward a more effective, impactful, and sustainable future. Here are three ways to leverage technology today to make meaningful progress tomorrow and in the months and years ahead.
#1 Go Digital
Digital impressions, computerized molds of a patient’s mouth created by an intraoral scanner, allow dentists to use a small, handheld scanning device to capture a 3D snapshot of the patient’s mouth.
Apart from being less invasive and more comfortable for the patient, these digital scans dramatically reduce waste. Traditional molding practices use materials that not only generate a considerable amount of non-recyclable waste but also often contain harmful chemicals. The American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that the average dental procedure uses more than 30 different items, noting that “most of the products are discarded after the procedure.”
Digital impressions, on the other hand, produce zero physical waste and remove the need for chemical-based materials, contributing to a safer patient experience and a healthier planet. Moreover, digital scans help lower your carbon footprint by reducing the need for vehicles on the road, as traditional molds must be physically transported to laboratories, where dental implants are created.
This process requires energy for transportation and contributes to traffic congestion, leading to increased emissions and operational inefficiencies. With digital scans, data is electronically sent to offsite labs, removing the need for physical transportation.
#2 Go Paperless
Dental practices often consume a mountain of paper to maintain patient and practice records. You’re probably very familiar with these records that pile up in filing cabinets. Not only does paper storage clutter up office spaces, it requires constant administrative upkeep, from filing to locating missing documents.
Going paperless is an ADA recommendation for green practices, and it’s an obvious next step if your practice wants to modernize its operations while improving its carbon footprint.
Your practice can go paperless to be more eco-friendly by transitioning to fully electronic systems. This can lower your consumption of paper products and reduce the practice’s carbon footprint. At the same time, electronic systems can improve efficiency and productivity and reduce the risk of losing essential documents.
Going paperless is not only good for the environment, it can save dental practices money in the long run. By reducing paper usage, practices can save on the cost of paper, ink, and other printing supplies. Additionally, electronic systems can streamline administrative tasks, freeing up staff time for other important responsibilities. Simply put, going paperless is a win-win for dental practices and the environment.
#3 Go Green
Updating environmental elements can significantly reduce your practice’s carbon footprint. These changes don’t have to be individually significant, but a collection of small changes can together make a meaningful difference. For example, energy-efficient equipment and devices can lower energy demand and increase efficiency.
Replacing traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs with LED lighting reduces energy consumption while increasing efficiency and longevity. This simple swap is not just beneficial for the planet. It's also cost-effective, saving practices money on energy bills and replacement costs.
If you want to go further, consider installing solar panels to generate carbon-free renewable energy. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides a long list of financial incentives for individuals or organizations that adopt green energy solutions to help offset upfront costs and make eco-friendly dentistry more attainable.
Maybe you’re not ready to take that step, but you can still adopt Energy Star-certified appliances, such as sterilizers and autoclaves, which can further minimize your practice's carbon footprint.
Embrace Sustainability in Dentistry
Our decisions matter, and the environmental stakes are enormous right now. Fortunately, dentistry is embracing its critical role in promoting environmental sustainability. With the rise of digital technologies and eco-friendly practices, dentists are improving the patient experience and contributing to our planet's health.
At Dental Science, we are committed to supporting your journey toward sustainable dentistry. Our products and services are designed to equip your practice with the tools and strategies needed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing patient care.
As you consider your practice’s journey toward more eco-friendly operations, contact Dental Science today, and we will join you on that journey.