Climate change is the greatest health threat of this century, increasing the risk of disease, putting pressure on health systems and exacerbating health inequalities. Globally, healthcare is responsible for approximately 4-5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and oral healthcare contributes to this, so we must do all we can to make dentistry more sustainable.
Global cooperation in sustainable dentistry
Sustainability in healthcare means not only providing quality care, but also reducing damage to the environment and promoting long-term public health. Doing this requires a whole systems approach. One of the most important ways oral health care can contribute to sustainability is through reducing the need for interventions and treatments that impact the environment, preventing disease and improving the oral health of the population. Sustainable approaches integrated into dental practice can also drive meaningful change, and dental teams have an important role to play in spreading awareness about sustainability and prevention.
Dental teams have an important role to play in spreading awareness about sustainability and prevention.
Tackling climate change is a global effort, and collaboration with domestic and international dental partners is fundamental to this challenge. I was proud to be a member of the FDI Dental Sustainability Task Team, which provides guidance and scientific expertise to FDI’s dental sustainability projects. The team was led by Professor Nicholas Martin and Dr Steve Mulligan from Sheffield School of Dentistry, and also included other experts from around the world. Through this project, and based on FDI’s policy statement on sustainability, the team developed two massive open online courses (MOOCs) and a range of resources, including guidance documents and toolkits to reduce the environmental impact of dentistry and the dental industry. It is a privilege to work with such dedicated, knowledgeable, and world-renowned experts.
Policy changes and prevention to support sustainability
We recognize that sustainability is important to our members and have developed a policy statement that sets out the actions we seek to support sustainability in dentistry. We will continue to call for preventive measures such as NHS contract reform, introducing a national policy to reduce people’s sugar intake, tackling antimicrobial resistance and supporting the reduction of dental amalgam use. By adopting this national approach, we can contribute to efforts to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare and support a healthier population.
We understand that sustainability is important to our members
Additionally, the team considered how sustainability can be integrated into all areas of the undergraduate curriculum, and how prevention can be practically implemented, rewarded, and made a focus of the dental care we perform every day. In order for the invasive dental treatments we have to practice to be effective and long-lasting, we must also consider “doing it right the first time.”
Practical tools and guidance for sustainable practices
In addition to our policy statement, our new Sustainability in Practice Advice page has compiled practical tools and resources from a variety of sources for members who want to learn more about sustainability and approaches to moving towards more sustainable practices.
This includes links to FDI’s MOOC to help you understand the environmental impact of oral health care and its role in sustainable medicine, as well as a link to the FDI toolkit that can support dentists and dental teams in moving towards a sustainable approach. We have also developed an environmental sustainability policy and an audit and action plan that all members can use to commit to good practice in this area.
Engaging the dental team and instilling a sustainable culture
We also have dedicated team engagement resources available for Good Practice Members on the CPD Hub. As part of this, teams will be invited to elect a Sustainability Practice Champion to help drive education and awareness on the topic and drive practical change. Upon completion, members receive a sustainability pledge and a digital logo demonstrating their commitment to more environmentally sustainable practices. Both for the patient and the dental team.
We know that awareness of environmental issues is increasing
We recognize that awareness of environmental issues is increasing and, by bringing together advice and guidance, we hope to support our members in reducing the impact of dentistry on the environment and playing an important role in leading sustainable medical practice.
