Best Practice for Sustainability in Dentistry
by Hande Şar Sancakli,
Prof, DDS, PhD
FDI Regional CE Director Europe
Günçe Ozan
Assoc. Prof, DDS, PhD
Abstract
Climate change has affected the global average temperatures, which are significantly higher than pre-industrial levels. Healthcare interventions are a part of the significant contributors to climate change and planetary health while treatment procedures produce around 10% of the carbon footprint and dentistry is one of the most significant resource- intensive having significant impact on the environment. Since oral healthcare is mainly focused on patient care, the environmental impact of the daily applications and frequently-used instruments may not mostly put in the equation which arises a need for precautions on both our environment and well-being as well. In recent years, awareness of sustainability in the era of dentistry has also increased with the understanding of decreasing the carbon emissions and the waste of the materials. Besides, prevention of oral disease has an importance on reducing the environmental effect. The emergency on maintaining the sustainability concept has united the health professionals, academic experts, industry workers, and professional associations to improve sustainability without compromising any risks of oral diseases. This concept can be understood by categorizing materials, treatment methods, staff and patient’s behaviors. Although policies and handicapped economies may be seen as the barriers towards the change of the concept, it is obvious that there is a need to analyze the effect of the minimal invasive concept and modern dentistry on sustainability. Thus, the current addresses understanding a comprehensive scope to raise the awareness of sustainability in dentistry and to evaluate best methods to maintain the concept.