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August 15, 2008

By Leslie Canham
CDA, RDA

A hot topic today is "Going Green."

Going Green means taking steps to reduce one's negative effect on the environment. In dentistry, many of the products we use for patient care are single-use plastic items. Using so much disposable plastic makes Going Green more challenging in a dental practice. This article will focus on ways you can "green up" your office by making a few simple changes.

Disposable products play an important role in an effective infection control program. For example, single-use plastic barriers on devices and surfaces reduce the chance of spreading disease agents from one patient to another.

If we eliminate the plastic barriers, patients might be concerned that we are not protecting them. Without jeopardizing patient safety, let's explore some steps we can take to help our offices be a little greener.

Plastic, plastic everywhere!
Take a look around your treatment room. How many plastic barriers are used? Think about items or surfaces that could be disinfected instead of barrier protected. In circumstances where barriers must be used, consider using less.

For example, on the overhead light handles, try placing a plastic barrier on only one handle instead of both. Consider switching to paper items instead of plastic. This could include using a paper headrest cover on the treatment chair and using paper drinking cups.

If you have a computer in the treatment room, you can purchase a waterproof keyboard and mouse. There are companies that manufacture keyboards and mice that are fully sealed, and even able to withstand surface disinfectants.

When you prepare your treatment room, think about setting up everything you need so you can reduce the number of times you must remove and discard gloves to get an item.

When performing hand hygiene, alcohol hand sanitizers may be used in place of soap and water when hands are not visibly soiled or contaminated. This would reduce the number of paper towels used each day. An added benefit is that many alcohol hand sanitizers contain products that improve the moisture content of your hands.

Take some time to look at other areas of your office that could be greener
By switching to digital imaging, instead of traditional X-rays, photochemical wastes such as developer and fixer solutions would no longer be generated. Lead foil found in X-ray film packets and plastic film mounts would be eliminated. If you are using traditional films, contact a recycling service to collect the used photochemical solutions and the lead foil from the film packets.

Recycle other hazardous items such as scrap amalgam, empty amalgam capsules, extracted teeth with amalgam restorations, chairside traps with amalgam particles, and vacuum traps that collect amalgam sludge. These items should never go in the trash or the biohazard waste container. Most recycling companies provide appropriate containers for collection and instructions for removal or shipping.

Another area of the dental practice that could be greener is the sterilization room. By switching to a steam sterilizer you could eliminate the hazardous chemicals used in a chemical vapor sterilizer. By using only heat-resistant instruments and devices, you could eliminate the use of high-level disinfectants such as gluteraldehyde.

How else can a dental practice help the environment?
Going paperless can reduce the money spent on paper charts and supplies. Submitting electronic insurance claims means less paper for insurance forms and envelopes. Not mailing paper claims saves postage and can even reduce fuel emissions generated by the postal service to deliver the mail. Most everyone has e-mail or text messaging, so why not offer patients a green alternative to mailing out recall cards and appointment reminders?

Be an example to your co-workers
In the break room or during lunch, share your commitment to becoming a greener office with other employees. Solicit ideas on ways to reduce waste in your practice. You can start by setting up a recycling bin for plastic bottles, cans, magazines, and newspapers. Ask everyone to bring lunch in reusable containers instead of plastic or paper bags. Use coffee mugs instead of disposable coffee cups.

You may not be able to initiate change all at once in your dental office. Start one step at a time. Even little changes can snowball into big ones. Be a leader and start a campaign for a greener work environment. You might be surprised how infectious going green can be.

Bio
Leslie Canham is a dental speaker and consultant specializing in infection control and OSHA compliance. She has more than 36 years of experience in dentistry. Canham is the founder of Leslie Canham Seminars, providing in-office training, mock inspections, consulting, and online seminars and webinars to help the dental team navigate state and federal regulations. Reach Canham at Leslie Canham, or at (888) 853-7543.

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