By Dr. Sahar Rakhshanfar

¬¬¬¬What is Green dentistry?Green dentistry is a vast topic that touches on everything from patient care to dental processes, It is the 4 capital Rs. Rethinking, Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.

It's Re-think. Rethinking is the most important, and the most fun aspect of a going-green lifestyle. Re-think your way of getting to work; re-think how far your food has to travel to reach your table; re-think your beauty-care products. If you can start this simple practice in your daily life, it will spill into your work habits, making green dentistry natural.

The Eco-Dentistry Association defines green dentistry as practice that:
- Reduces waste and pollution;
- Saves energy, water and money;¬¬¬
- Incorporates high-tech innovations;
- Is wellness based
These are some of the examples of what you can do to make your dentistry more eco friendly and green:using digital impression systems instead of conventional Impression systems that uses trays made of metal or petroleum,switch to re-usable cloth infection control and sterilization products, choose and eco-friendly disinfectant and line cleaner, use bulk-prophy paste to reduce the waste from single-serving packaging. Re-thinking doesn't always mean we have an answer. Take the example of gloves, for instance. Currently, there's no great solution for reducing the waste of used gloves. But that doesn't mean it isn't worth re-thinking. Perhaps you can find gloves in a recycled box. Or maybe you can order gloves in bulk to cut down on transportation pollution.

Reduce waste & pollution
Re-think infection control and sterilization practices. Notice the waste generated from a single patient! The EDA estimates 1.7 billion sterilization pouches and 680 million chair barriers, light handle covers and patient bibs end up in landfill each year from US dental offices alone. Consider these cost-saving, planet-saving options for reducing waste and pollution.

- Switch to re-usable cloth infection control and sterilization products

- Choose and eco-friendly disinfectant and line cleaner

- Use bulk-prophy paste to reduce the waste from single-serving packaging

Save energy, water and money
Re-think your daily habits. Dental offices use a lot of electricity to run compressors, drills, overhead lights, operatory lights and computers. Dental vacuum systems can use as much as 360 gallons of water per day in a typical practice. It doesn't take replacing all the equipment in the practice today to go green. Simple changes in habits can make a big difference for the planet and the practice bottom line.

- Make sure your electronic equipment is turned off every night at the power strip. This will reduce "phantom load" which is estimated to account for 10% of the typical energy bill.

- Reduce the use of disposables and switch to re-usables. You'll lower your practice overhead, and attract green dentistry patients who prioritize their health. Check out the EDA's website for cost-saving green initiatives.

Incorporates high-tech
Re-think your tools. There is a 1:1 correlation between high-tech dentistry and eco-friendly dentistry.
- Learn to use diode lasers for periodontal therapy.

- Use digital imaging. If your practice hasn't made the switch, become familiar with how to operate the various digital imaging systems on the market so you're green-office ready.

Is wellness-based
Re-think your role. Your value to your patient lies in your technical skill, but also in your role as a health educator, and coach.
- Incorporate aromatherapy. Look for hand sanitizer, lotions and soaps that incorporate essential oils that are calming for patients, helping them relax and prepare for a healing experience in your chair.

- Share research and information about the relationship of periodontal disease to diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses with your patients.
- Read labels. Check out the ingredients of the dental products you're recommending, and make sure they don't include sodium lauryl sulphate, alcohol or titanium dioxide (often found in whitening toothpastes, this ingredient is also found in wall paint!)
According to the EDA, there are four main sources of dental office waste:
1. Sterilization and disinfectant products.
2. Removal of mercury-containing dental materials.
3. Conventional x-ray systems.
4. Conventional vacuum systems.
Choosing green solutions for each of these waste sources significantly reduces the negative environmental impact of dentistry.
Mercury containing dental materials could adversely affect the environment. Reducing the amount of mercury used and how it is disposed of reduces these negative effects.

Making the decision to use biodegradable disinfectant products (such as gloves, tongue depressors, and cotton swabs) also ensures the waste produced from dentistry can either be recycled or completely broken down in a landfill.

Dr. Sahar Rakhshanfar has been a practicing dentist for many years and operates the North Hill Dental Center located in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Please visit Dr. Sahar’s other websites and blogs;


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