Sustainability and Infection Prevention & Control in Dental Practice

Question 1

What percentage of greenhouse gases are produced by the healthcare sector?

Answer 1

~5%

Question 2

Provide examples of single use items routinely used in dentistry

Answer 2

• paper/plastic cups
• glass ionomer capsules
• impression trays
• cotton wool rolls
• dental dams

Question 3

What are the top 10 tips for sustainable dentistry?

Answer 3

1. prevent
   
   • promote healthy lifestyles
   • empower patients to reduce treatment need
2. understanding the facts
   
   • aware of legislation
   • refer to guidelines and evidence based practice
3. reconsider sedation
   
   • consider alternative methods
4. communicate better
   
   • offer advice over the phone
   • go paperless where possible
5. prescribe less
   
   • only prescribe where necessary
6. procure mindfully
   
   • purchase less and reuse
   • bulk buy and consolidate lab work and deliveries
7. reduce, re-use, recycle
   
   • reduce waste
   • segregate waste correctly
   • provide recycling bins
8. save energy
   
   • energy saving bulbs and sensors
   • switch off equipment when not in use
9. drive less
   
   • encourage all to use public transport
10. adapt
    
    • introduce emergency resilience procedures

Question 4

What actions can be taken to reduce dentistry plastic purchasing and waste?

Answer 4

• avoid single use devices where appropriate
  
  • stainless steel impression trays
  • prophy cups
  • aspirator tips
• use glass/stainless steel pots
  
  • rather than plastic Dappens pots
• carry out an audit
  
  • determine how much plastic is used
  • determine whether all recyclable plastic is recycled
• advertise alternative, non plastic oral hygiene produces
  
  • e.g. bamboo toothbrushes
• liaise with dental product manufacturers
  
  • sustainability
  • recycling potential

Question 5

How can reduce be used to make dentistry more eco-friendly?

Answer 5

• bulk purchasing
  
  • packaging makes up for a lot of waste

Question 6

How can reuse be used to make dentistry more eco friendly?

Answer 6

• impression trays
  
  • require manual help for cleaning
• mouthwash cups
  
  • must be processed through the decontamination process
  • cuts down on wasted products

Question 7

How can recycle be use to make dentistry more eco friendly?

Answer 7

• dental instrument recycling
  
  • services for recycling used instruments
    
    • Envirodent
  • can be converted into industrial/buidling materials

Question 8

What is the environmental impact of unused medication?

Answer 8

• high cost to the NHS per year
• disposal has a negative impact environmentally
  
  • dentists must advise patients
    
    • recommended method of disposal
    • unused or expired pharmaceuticals/packaging
• expired medication disposed in blue lidded shares box