Any business can do something to make our world a little cleaner and greener – even your dental practice. According to the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA), Green dentistry is a “high-tech approach that reduces the environmental impact of dental practices and encompasses a service model for dentistry that supports and maintains wellness. Take advantage of these eco-friendly opportunities in your practice, by implementing some of these effective tips.
- Go paperless
Take your office into the digital world, by eliminating your paper use. If your practices doesn’t already, start to implement cloud-based services so you can create and look up patient charts, set appointments, and send automatic reminders to patients via their computers, tablets, and smartphones.
- Follow the 3 Rs
Recycle, reduce and reuse to become a more eco-friendly office. Here are a few ways to get started:
Recycle
- Place recycle bins around your office for aluminum, glass and plastic.
- Contribute to an instrument recycling program.
- Use recycled paper and other products.
Reduce
- Set printers to automatically print double sided.
- Use steam sterilization to eliminate chemical use.
- Implement cloud-based dental practice software to reduce IT headaches.
Reuse
- Invest in rechargeable batteries.
- Wear cloth lab coats.
- Provide washable dishes and silverware in the break room.
- Use stainless steel impression trays, prophy cups and suction tips.
- Conserve energy
An easy way to conserve energy is to install energy-efficient windows and skylights, allowing more natural light to enter your office. This will result in cost savings for heating and cooling as well. Other ways to conserve energy include using fluorescent or LED light bulbs in place of incandescent light bulbs, and installing occupancy sensors for your lights.
- Turn off tap water
By encouraging patients and staff to turn off water while brushing their teeth, it can save up to eight gallons of water per day, per person. An easy way to incorporate into your practice is to place reminder signs around your office and on your website that shows this statistic.
To learn more about green dentistry, and to read the entire article, please visit www.dentistryiq.com.
Note: This content is accurate as of the date published above and is subject to change. Please seek professional advice before acting on any matter contained in this article.
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