Eco-Friendly Dentistry: How We’re Reducing Our Environmental Impact

At Hamilton Dental Centre, we believe that providing excellent dental care goes hand in hand with being responsible stewards of our environment. As a modern dental practice, we recognise the importance of sustainability in all aspects of business, including healthcare. We’re committed to reducing our environmental impact while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.

Sustainability is a hot topic right now and for very good reason. The way we care for our planet has had to change and at Hamilton Dental Centre, we are focused on giving as much care to the planet as we do to our patients.

It’s important for us to not only talk the talk but also walk the walk. We have implemented a wide range of sustainable practices throughout the business to help us reduce our environmental footprint, doing our little bit to make New Zealand, and the world, a better place.

Sustainable New Zealand

Here in New Zealand, sustainability is incredibly important. We need to protect our beautiful country and ensure it is the same incredible environment for generations to come. Some of our eco-friendly initiatives have been running for some time now, however, we are always looking and new and innovative ways to improve our overall sustainability.

We work closely with our patients to get an understanding of what they would like to see in the practice and try to learn from other Kiwi businesses that are really committed to sustainability.

Here are some examples of the eco-friendly practices we already have in place – we’d love to hear if you have any more suggestions.

Our Eco-Friendly Initiatives

Digital Records: We’ve embraced digital technology to significantly reduce paper waste. By maintaining electronic patient records and using digital imaging for X-rays, we’ve minimised our reliance on physical documents and film-processing chemicals.

Whilst this might seem like a simple solution, it requires a lot of change within a business to shift to a digital model. Part of that also relies on great patient communication, especially with people who might not be as digitally savvy. It’s been an important part of the process for us to educate patients about our digital communications and ensure they are comfortable with the way we work.

Reducing Single-Use Items: Dental practices traditionally use many disposable items, but we’re actively working to cut down on single-use plastics and other disposables where possible. We’ve implemented reusable alternatives for certain instruments and materials, ensuring they’re properly sterilised between uses.

This has perhaps been one of the biggest shifts that we have seen across the industry. It isn’t going to change overnight for some practices and there will always be some element of single-use items within the industry, however, a 2024 project undertaken in the UK found that practices can effectively reduce or remove single-use items altogether, although there are financial costs associated with this which can present a barrier for some practices.

Energy Efficiency: Our clinic has invested in energy-efficient lighting and equipment to reduce our overall energy consumption. We’ve also implemented power-saving practices, such as turning off equipment when not in use.

This is another simple yet highly effective way of reducing the carbon footprint of our practice. Energy-efficient lighting is one of the simplest actions any dental practice can take and whilst there is an initial upfront cost to replacing all the lighting, the long-term savings, both financially and also environmentally, far outweigh those initial costs.

Water Conservation: We’ve installed water-saving devices on our dental units and sinks to minimise water waste during treatments and daily operations.

As you might imagine, dental practices can use a lot of water over the course of a day so implementing water-saving features into our practice was another easy way to do our little bit every day.

Eco-Friendly Products: Whenever possible, we choose dental products and materials from suppliers who prioritise sustainability and use eco-friendly packaging.

This is another activity that does have financial repercussions for many dental practices as eco-friendly products do often come at a higher cost, however, we are committed to doing as much as we can and sourcing sustainable products as and when we can.

Sustainable Dental Care at Home

Whilst we want to take a lead on sustainable dentistry, we also encourage our patients to do the same at home. Some of the practices listed below are quick and easy whereas some might need you to look beyond the usual supermarket shelves for sustainable alternatives to your usual dental products:

Here are some tips:

1. Choose bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic ones.

2. Opt for plastic-free dental floss made from biodegradable materials.

3. Use toothpaste tablets or powders to reduce plastic tube waste.

4. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth to conserve water.

5. Look for mouthwash options in recyclable packaging or make your own using natural ingredients.

We understand that some of these actions are not practical for every household, however, if you can implement just one or two of the recommendations above, you will be doing your little bit towards protecting our beautiful Aotearoa.

The Importance of Sustainability in Dentistry

As healthcare providers, we have a responsibility to consider the broader impact of our practices on the environment. By implementing eco-friendly initiatives, we’re not only reducing our carbon footprint but also setting an example for other businesses in our community.

Sustainability in dentistry is about finding a balance between providing high-quality care and minimising environmental harm. It’s a continuous process of improvement, and we’re committed to staying informed about new eco-friendly technologies and practices in our field.

At Hamilton Dental Centre, we believe that small changes can make a big difference. By working together with our patients and community, we can create a more sustainable future for dentistry and beyond.

We invite our patients to join us in this eco-friendly journey. If you have any suggestions or ideas for further improving our sustainability efforts, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make a positive impact on both your oral health and the health of our planet.