What can be done?

Dentistry has become a field dominated by plastics. They are everywhere you turn and are used in hygiene appointments, clinical surgeries, and so much more. As part of a dental practice’s environmental and disposal responsibilities, plastics are a concern. Taking a wider look at plastic use and disposal in general, the European Environment Agency estimates that only nine per cent of the plastics ever produced have been recycled, 12 per cent have been incinerated, and the rest are either in use, in landfill, or the environment.

Dental professionals should review their daily workflows and find ways to decrease their plastic consumption and potentially damaging disposal methods. The contribution to pollution has been judged by some to be in contention with the philosophy of ‘first, do no harm’.