Environmentally friendly behaviour in dentistry

Abstract

Background and aims. Sustainability is the sensitive and responsible way of using the natural resources, its goal being to prevent their depletion and preserving the ecological balance. An essential requirement to achieve this is to practice environmentally conscious behavior. The main objective of the present study was to carry out a survey among dentists about the importance of sustainability, feasibility of an environmentally friendly dental practice and the steps in favor of it.
 Methods. An online survey with 6 question groups, including a total of 50 questions, was performed. The survey was available online for dentists on different platforms. In total 98 responses were recorded during September − November 2020.
 Results. Out of the responding dentists, 74.49% liked the idea of an environmentally friendly dental practice and 98.97% would take some steps toward environmental awareness in their practice. A statistically significant (p<0.05) difference between those who prefer an environmentally conscious practice and those who had not yet thought about it was only in the questions related to environmentally conscious lifestyle in their household, the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products, the creation of a ’green wall’ and selective waste collection in their practice.
 Conclusions. Most of the respondents were open to the idea of forming an environmentally conscious dental practice and they would act to achieve it. In order to reach this, it is necessary to provide dentists with feasible solutions for better practice. Some of the guidance issues, which would be easy to implement, are listed at the end of the present study. We intend to provide a guidance regarding sustainable dental practice.

Green Dental Environmentalism among Students and Dentists in Greece

“…In this context, the design and construction of green buildings is a new research focus motivated by the need for human wellbeing and sustainable resources in the health sector [2,3,10]. The circular philosophy of dentistry is currently emerging as a theme in the research literature, providing knowledge and tools for information sharing and enhancing environmental actions [10,[17][18][19]. A significant aspect of this field-specific discussion concerns providing better quality and sustainable dental services by using new processes and slow dentistry workflows in an esthetic, naturally designed environment; it also aims to offer digital solutions, provide innovative resource analysis and building constructions that guarantee less waste [6], improve skills and current knowledge related to this theme, [18][19][20] and, ultimately, provide better quality of life for all, up to 2050 [13].…”

The Dentist's Role in Cultivating Environmental Awareness for Sustainability and promotion of Climate Consciousness

“…In addition, dentists express their opinion on methods the manufacturers can implement to become more environmentally friendly with the most common answer being the use of recycled/recyclable materials for their products and packaging followed by the creation of ecological products, a belief also shared among 49% of students. It is of great importance that dentists choose a manufacturer who promotes environmental awareness by producing sustainable materials, has ethical working conditions, and has a list of chemicals and sources of raw materials available to the public [75][76][77]. Our study also examined the sample's thoughts on practical decisions made in dental practice that are considered more eco-friendly revealing that recycling, water/paper saving, use of environmentally friendly products, and rational use of materials during dental practice are the dominant views of both doctors and students.…”

Sustainable Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review of the Recycling Techniques for Gypsum Products in Prosthodontics

“…Recycling, on the other hand, presents a viable alternative, promoting the reuse of materials, reducing the need for raw resources, and minimizing waste generation. This not only aligns with environmental conservation goals but also contributes to the ethical and social responsibility of dental practitioners [ 1 ].…”