Advancing Environmental Sustainability in Dentistry and Oral Health

Environmental sustainability entails the responsibility of safeguarding global ecosystems and natural resources to enhance well-being and prosperity. Within the dental profession, a commitment to supporting a transition to a green economy is vital. Integrating sustainable development goals into everyday dental practices becomes imperative, fostering healthy lifestyles and well-being for people of all ages.1 The primary objective for oral health practitioners and dental educators is the promotion of oral health to prevent avoidable diseases. Moreover, it is both a moral and ethical obligation for oral health providers to minimize the adverse environmental impacts of their operations, aligning with sustainable development principles. This commitment extends to meeting current oral health care needs while ensuring the ability to provide the same services in the future. Dental facilities generate large amounts of waste including environmentally burdensome single-use plastics (SUPs), which requires immediate attention.2 Furthermore, a comprehensive assessment is imperative for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions originating from various sources including travel by patients or professionals to care facilities, the manufacturing of dental materials, daily utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the generation of waste. The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the environmental challenge, intensifying the demand for SUPs and PPE, significantly impacting the environment.1