Most industries may feel that dentistry is the tiniest medical department. However, this department produces a lot of waste and significantly increases its carbon footprint. However, with the growing awareness, eco-friendly dentistry has revolutionized, making it possible to look after patients without harming the environment. This article will provide some of the major details related to sustainability in dentistry. In addition, the article will cover some major aspects of how the dental care departments incorporate to reduce carbon footprints that can benefit the environment and one’s health. Therefore, a dentist in Fairfield, ME, follows several such methods to reduce their carbon footprint.
Ways to decrease the carbon footprint in Dental clinic
Like every other medical department, dentistry produces a wide range of waste, which later increases the presence of carbon in the atmosphere. However, the following-mentioned ways can decrease and help dental clinics reduce their carbon footprint.
Positively Influencing the Digital Dentistry
Rumors about the industry have always claimed that dentistry is outdated in embracing technology. One good thing that has been made possible by the COVID-19 pandemic is that despite all physical visits and diagnoses occurring, many practices are beginning to offer the same “remote dentistry” through video consultations and virtual visits with the help of smartphones.
Handling Expenditure
Emphasize the importance of energy conservation to the staff. Little things, such as turning lights off and appliances off when not in use, are effective methods of cost reduction while preventing emissions. Make the lighting for communal spaces only as bright as necessary. Communal areas should be redesigned to maximize the appearance of natural light and ventilation.
Recycle
Reduce waste and the number of products taken to a landfill. This is the ultimate environmental goal of surgery, and all practices must have rigid “reduce, reuse, recycle” policies. There are so many different consumables in everyday practice, such as cups, bibs, and plastic wrappers, which must and should be recycled.
Eco-Friendly Dental Clinic Ideas
Other practical methods through which an eco-friendly dental clinic could reduce its uses while improving efficiency are going digital by patient record keeping. Minding less on paper would facilitate processes. A paperless practice would cut paper waste for clinics with continued reliance on physical storage space.
Another viable option is to develop disposable instrumentation, such as stainless steel instruments rather than plastic disposables. This would reduce the volume of medical waste and minimize the clinic’s overall footprint.
The addition of recycling programs, biodegradable packaging for dental materials, and so forth would take one step further in decreasing waste. Clinics could benefit from having on-site recycling stations for easy disposal of paper, plastic, and metals. The use of biodegradable or compostable packing would also lessen the ecological impact of the clinic’s operation.
The eco-friendly dental products make way for the most important connectivity of the clinic with a decreased carbon footprint. It would make a difference if the concern were made by going for sustainable products, such as bamboo toothbrushes, etc. It can be added to this factor that lessens the harmful chemicals for both patients and the environment by using non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning agents and dental material.
Conclusion
Sedation works for some patients who feel anxious or uncomfortable during dental treatment. Some knowledge regarding the level of sedation, issues concerning safety, and side effects would help make an eigenvalue decision on whether sedation dentistry is meant or not. Consult dentists sufficiently qualified to address individual concerns on their terms.
