At our practice, we are committed to sustainable dentistry and reducing the environmental impact of dental care.
With global warming and climate change being urgent world priorities, we have been working hard to transform our practice into an eco-friendly, sustainable healthcare setting.
The UK Climate Change Act 2008 sets the ambitious goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Dentistry has an important role to play in this mission, especially when it comes to decontamination, waste management, and the reduction of single-use plastics. Research shows that an average of 21 single-use plastic items are used in every dental procedure, with PPE and clinical waste increasing significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breakdown of the annual carbon footprint of dental treatments in England:
These figures highlight why change is essential. As healthcare providers, we have both a responsibility to protect oral health and a duty to reduce the impact of dentistry on the planet. Every team member plays an active role in our sustainability journey, taking responsibility for the changes we make.
How we reduce our environmental impact:
Travel and patient journeys
- We practice preventative dentistry, helping patients stay dentally healthy and reducing the need for frequent visits.
- Staff travel: We encourage walking, cycling, car-sharing, and sustainable commuting options.
- We consider transportation of goods and lab work, ordering materials in bulk and less frequently.
- Digital scanners reduce the need to transport impressions to labs.
- We help minimise patient travel by:
- Booking family or joint appointments (examination + hygiene, crowns in a day).
- Encouraging patients to book in advance.
Materials and waste reduction
- Switched from single-use instruments to sterilisable equipment where possible.
- Use renewable, low-carbon footprint materials when single-use is unavoidable.
- Communicate via social media, email, and our website, reducing paper use.
- Implement digital technology such as:
- CEREC scanners and milling units remove the need for impression materials.
- Digital X-rays eliminate harmful chemicals.
- Patient Portal & Clinipads for online medical forms and digital information sharing.
- Stock control: accurate ordering, regular audits, and reduced wastage.
- Recycling and segregation: packaging is carefully disassembled to maximise recycling.
- Durable equipment purchased from reputable, ethical suppliers to reduce replacement waste.
- We are committed to ethical sourcing, avoiding suppliers linked to modern slavery in healthcare production.
Energy efficiency
- Our practice is energy efficient, with insulation and double glazing.
- We use green electricity and check energy ratings before purchasing new equipment.
- We continually monitor our energy use to reduce our carbon footprint further.
Mercury and dental amalgam
- In line with DEFRA’s 25-year environment plan, we are committed to reducing mercury pollution.
- We have already significantly reduced our use of dental amalgam.
- By focusing on preventing dental disease and delivering long-lasting, high-quality dental treatments, we reduce the need for repeated restorations, protecting both patients and the environment.
