Sustainability in Dental Practice. Current Trends

Dentistry is one of the professional activities directly involved in the environmental pollution. Though individual dentists generate only small amounts of environment unfriendly waste, the accumulated waste produced by the profession has significant impact. The ways in which dentistry impacts the environment are multiple: wastage of silver amalgam, the use of traditional x-ray methods, the usage of disposables during patient care, office waste (energy, water, electric lamps, paper), chemical sterilization, improper disposal of bio-hazardous waste. “Green dentistry” attempts to reduce the industry’s detrimental impact on the environment and promote environmental awareness and sustainability to patients buy using the 4R’s Model (Rethink, Reuse, Recycle, Reduce), which emphasizes the sustainable consumption habits. The oral health professionals can support the eco - friendly dentistry by adopting measures, such as the conservation of energy resources and water, the switch to green products, installing energy-efficient products, reuse and recycle, educate patients and staff, being proactive. They should be prepared to face many challenges because “Green Dentistry” is a High-Tech Dentistry (digital imaging, digital prosthodontics, digital workflow, the use CAD/CAM Systems, scanners,3D printers, lasers). Together, all these measures can contribute to more sustainable resources and a healthier environment, for a brighter future for present and future generations.