Sustainable Dentistry: Our Commitment to a Greener Future

Our dental practice is dedicated to providing first-class dentistry and care for our patients. However, we understand that our responsibility extends beyond "just" providing high clinical standards and exceptional customer care for our patients.

For Neil & Bex Cooper together with the whole team at Crossbank Dental Care, ensuring that we provide those services in a sustainable manner is of utmost importance. That's why we've partnered with NuGreen, a leading environmental consulting firm, to conduct a comprehensive clinical waste audit and help us implement sustainable practices throughout our operations.

The Importance of Sustainability in Dentistry

Dental practices generate significant amounts of waste, from disposable gloves and masks to packaging materials and chemical byproducts. This environmental impact can be substantial, so for us being more efficient in our processes will help our sustainability by reducing our environmental footprint.

As Claire from NuGreen pointed out, "Having seen your set up, we can see that you have already made good progress towards sustainability and have great opportunity to do even more. Some of the practices you are already doing are great examples of sustainable action. For example, the technology to 3D map a mouth is better for the environment than using moulds, as well as saving time and money."

Our Collaboration with NuGreen

NuGreen is working closely with our governance team to understand the policies and procedures connected to areas that seem like viable potentials for sustainable intervention. Their focus will be on:

• Observing our material-intensive and energy-intensive clinical pathways, such as Dental Health Reviews, hygiene procedures, fillings, and the sterilisation suite.

• Researching genuine innovation opportunities within dentistry that may be relevant to our practice, backed by scientific data and evidence to support sound decision-making.

Our Goals and Aspirations

Through this comprehensive collaboration with NuGreen, our dental practice aims to significantly reduce our environmental footprint and become a leader in sustainable dentistry. By thoroughly evaluating our current practices, we hope to:

• Identify and Reduce Waste: Understand exactly where we can cut down on waste, from everyday materials to specialised dental supplies.

• Improve Recycling and Disposal: Enhance our recycling efforts whilst continuing to ensure that hazardous waste is disposed of correctly.

• Adopt Greener Products: Discover environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional dental products and supplies.

• Educate and Involve Staff: Create a more environmentally aware workforce that is actively involved in sustainability initiatives.

• Set a Benchmark for Improvement: Establish a baseline against which we can measure our progress over time, continually striving to reduce our environmental impact.

Our ultimate goal is to provide exceptional dental care while actively contributing to environmental sustainability - setting an example for other dental practices to follow. We believe that prioritising sustainability not only benefits the planet but also aligns with our commitment to promoting overall wellbeing, and creating a healthier future for our patients, and the community we serve.

Join us on this journey towards a greener, more sustainable dental practice.

Stay tuned for updates on our journey towards a greener, more sustainable practice.

Together, we can make a difference—one dental visit at a time. 🌱