Green
Dentistry or Eco-friendly dentistry is an approach to dentistry that combines
dental practices and environmental conservation. “Eco-dentistry” or “Green
dentistry” refers to the delivery of oral healthcare and dental treatments
using technologies, procedures and materials that promote environmental health. The key concepts of a green dental practice include conservation of
water and energy, use of non-toxic products, reduction of waste, and
elimination of hazardous toxins that negatively affect patients and the
environment.
Pollution
contributing factors needs to be re-considered with reforms where ever possible:
1.
X‑rays: Traditional radiography uses
various chemicals and generates waste. Fixer containing silver that must be
managed as hazardous waste or the silver be reclaimed and recycled properly. Traditional
x-ray fixers contain chemicals such as Ammonium Thiocyanate and Boric
anhydride. These chemicals are known to be skin, eye and respiratory tract
irritants, and hazardous if ingested or inhaled. They also are toxic to
blood, thyroid, kidneys and liver and repeated or prolonged exposure can
produce target organ damage.
The
lead foil contained in each film packet may be hazardous unless it is recycled
for its scrap metal content. The lead foil inside
each X‑ray packet is a leachable toxin and can contaminate the soil and
groundwater in landfill sites. Lead foil packets should never be thrown in the
regular garbage, rather sent for recycling of lead content.
Curtail radiation
- Usage of digital X-rays rather than conventional X-rays scales down the
amount of radiations and the quality of the images will also be more improvised.
Applying technology
- Use of computers for the storage of data in relation to patient records will
not only eliminate the paper usage but will be more accurate
2.
Silver amalgam: Amalgams used to fill dental cavities contain typically 50% mercury with silver, tin, and other metals. The detrimental
effects of mercury are widely known; therefore, it is crucial to prevent the
release of mercury to the environment. Mercury in amalgam is converted to the more toxic “organic methyl mercury” by bacteria which is a neurotoxin. Vulnerable populations such as children,
the foetuses of pregnant women, hypersensitive individuals, and people with
kidney impairments are known to be particularly susceptible to the neurotoxic
effects of dental mercury.
Alternatively
more natural looking restorations generating less heavy metal waste, currently metal-free and
more natural looking eco-friendly adhesive restorations like direct binding
composite or ceramic crowns are available,
they not only improves the esthetics but saves environment from heavy
metals.
3.
Mix only as much amalgam as is immediately required by using amalgam capsules. The left out unused amalgam should be recycled. Amalgam
shavings and bits of amalgam from the drilling or restoration shaping
operations should be intercepted by drain traps or screens for recycling.
4.
Toxic chemicals: Most of the chemicals used in dentistry are hazardous, hence utmost care should be taken according to guidelines for their disposal.
5.
Usage of disposables items:
Different kinds of disposables used in dentistry are latex gloves, disposable
patient bibs, head rest covers, syringes, plastic pouches, plastic suction
tips. Office waste is usually non‑hazardous waste e.g., paper, cardboard,
aluminum, plastics etc., The use of these should be minimized. Office paper
material may be recycled.
6.
Prevention of disease is extension
towards green dentistry- professional prevention from invasive treatment
restrains us from exposure to all different treatment thus it’s also a contribution
towards Eco-friendly dentistry.
Green
dentistry reduces supply costs by integrating dental innovations, and increases
productivity by efficient use time, reducing wastage and preventing pollution.
Ultimately patients get benefited by quality treatment with reduction in
treatment costs. To conclude we quote
Ray Kroc “As long you are green, you are growing. As soon you are ripe, you
start to rot.” So let us go green today and save Mother Earth from
bio-hazards for a better tomorrow.
