Helping ‘green dentistry’ grow in your practice

The world is becoming more eco-conscious, and reports are suggesting that the pandemic has accelerated the shift to a ‘greener’ way of life, with consumers spurred on to do all they can to help create a better, healthier world. A recent survey indicated that nearly one in three consumers have stopped purchasing certain brands or products because they had ethical or sustainability related concerns about them.¹ This trend continues in the oral care sector with almost half of consumers (49 per cent) expecting more eco-friendly oral care products.²

It is clear, therefore, that the dental profession is not unaffected by this shift to a more sustainable way of life. ‘Green dentistry’, or ‘Eco-dentistry’ as it is sometimes known, is an approach to dentistry that combines care provision and environmental conservation,³ advocating principles such as the conservation of water and energy, use of non-toxic products, reduction of waste, elimination of hazardous toxins, and promotion of ‘green’ products.³