The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework for addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. A set of interconnected goals to be achieved by 2030 emphasise the careful conservation of resources, responsible consumption, and the safeguarding of biodiversity and ecosystems.
In dentistry, maintaining a safe practice while aligning with the SDGs requires a holistic approach that addresses multiple areas, including greener procurement, more efficient use of energy and materials, waste reduction, and preventing the release of pollutants into the environment. Additionally, improving access to preventative care is an essential component of meeting these goals.
However, dental professionals often find themselves caught between the desire to adopt more sustainable practices and the need to ensure patient safety. Many dental practitioners acknowledge the importance of green dentistry principles but are unsure how to implement them or are concerned that making changes may compromise treatment safety or effectiveness.
Sustainability
Sustainability, in its simplest form, can be defined as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It’s based on the idea that with care and foresight, the activity of people can continue in perpetuity, in balance with nature.
The climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity are urgent global challenges that cannot be ignored. For example, one area of concern is the growing threat to fresh water supplies. Despite water covering 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface, only three per cent is fresh water, and two-thirds of this is unavailable for use, either locked in glaciers or otherwise inaccessible. Pollution, overextraction, and agricultural practices have stressed many of the world’s fresh water systems, compounded by the impacts of climate change. By 2050, it is projected that three out of four people will face severe water scarcity. The global cost of drought already exceeds $307bn annually, highlighting the urgency of sustainable water management.
Decontamination appliances and SDGs
In dentistry, infection control plays a central role in maintaining a safe environment for both patients and healthcare professionals. Adhering to standards like the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-05 is critical for ensuring that dental instruments are properly decontaminated and sterilised. However, these rigorous infection control protocols often create a challenge when attempting to integrate sustainable protocols into dental clinics. Dental practices rely on a wide range of instruments and equipment that must undergo specific decontamination procedures, typically requiring energy-intensive processes like autoclaving at precise temperatures. This can make it seem difficult to balance the need for safe, effective infection control with the drive for sustainability.
The use of washer disinfectors and vacuum autoclaves is recognised as best practice when decontaminating instruments, as outlined in HTM 01-05. Although their use has an environmental impact due to the energy consumption and water usage, washer disinfectors use less water than handwashing per cycle and sterilisation as we all know is a must, so always choose an eco-friendly option.
To reduce the environmental impact, strategies include using renewable energy, maximising chamber capacity to reduce cycles, running cycles back-to-back to recycle heat, and adjusting detergent usage based on the level of soiling.
Help to achieve shared goals
Careful selection of your equipment is imperative to ensure that it has lower energy and water usage thereby reducing the impact on the environment. To mitigate impact, using energy-efficient autoclaves can help minimise unnecessary cycles and energy consumption.
For example, W&H has developed a range of decontamination products with the technology to assist you in reducing your practice’s ecological footprint. The new Lara XXL is a B type steriliser which benefits from a 38L capacity. Its EcoDry technology enhances energy efficiency during the sterilisation process. The Lara range of autoclaves are designed to be updatable, upgradable, maintainable, and repairable. Frequent digital upgrades reduce the cost as well as the environmental impact of replacements as technology advances.
Moving towards a more sustainable practice benefits everyone. In dentistry, by definition, it prioritises strategies to maintain clinical excellence in practice without damaging the viability of future activity. As the world works towards achieving SDGs, the dental community plays a vital role.
References available on request.
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