The Eco-Dentist Association is setting sustainable dentistry guidelines to help improve the process of cleaning your teeth. The EDA has initiated a GreenDOC Dental Office Certification Program for dental practices to strive for. In order to receive this certification, a green-certified dental practice has to meet these following guidelines...
Sustainable Location: The building of the dental practice has to be in a certified green building and within close proximity to public transportation
Waste Reduction: Reducing all waste within activities within the dental practice.
Pollution Prevention: Includes sterilization methods of cleaning, indoor air quality, using green cleaning products to clean and disinfect equipment and throughout the office.
Energy Conservation: Awareness in the conservation of energy used for office and operation room lighting, equipment and office.
Water Conservation: Attaching fixtures throughout the practice inside and out.
Patient Care, Workplace Policies, and Community Collaboration: Enhancing the community and patients about green dentistry and educating others about better practices
Leadership
Innovation
As of right now only two dentistries have the green certificate but with many people and businesses seeking sustainable practices there is bound to be more dental practices to join green.
Next time you go to the dentist ask them what they are doing to be sustainable. I know my dentist, Dr. Stone, will definitely need some guidance considering he should have retired years ago. Help change the practice of dentistry!
