Protecting the environment

Restorative dental care has seen a substantial shift in recent years, as professionals look to employ resin-based composite (RBC) restorations in their care more often. This could be because of the advancement of the aesthetic potential of such solutions, as well as the push to reduce amalgam use – dental professionals across the EU will have their hand forced with the amalgam ban beginning from January 1, 2025, and practitioners in the UK will likely see disruption and higher costs because of the resultant pressures on supply chains.

Many clinicians currently use RBC solutions and will likely use them more frequently in the future, which requires appropriate management of any waste created. It’s important to delve into the current understanding of the health and environmental risks of RBC use, and waste. With this knowledge, best practice workflows when discarding the material in daily care are possible.