EDITORIAL
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January - March 2024 J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
How to cite this editorial
Qamar W. Navigating the Challenges of Sustainable Dental Practices:
Opportunities for Green Innovation in Dentistry. J Gandhara Med
Dent Sci. 2025; 12(1):1-2
https://doi.org/10.37762/jgmds.12-1.610
REFERENCES
NAVIGATING THE CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE DENTAL PRACTICES: OPPORTUNITIES
FOR GREEN INNOVATION IN DENTISTRY
Wajiha Qamar
Associate Professor,
Department of Oral Biology,
Bacha Khan College of Dentistry Mardan, Pakistan
:
:
+92-332-7594914
wajihaqamar.ob@gmail.com
As environmental concerns progress, it is becoming increasingly crucial to consider the transition to sustainable
periodontal care. Adopting eco-friendly materials and techniques in dentistry not only fulfils international
sustainability criteria but also provides considerable long-term benefits to dental practices and their patients.1
Traditional dental products and practices have a significant environmental impact. The consumption of harmful
compounds, non-biodegradable plastics, and heavy metals contributes to environmental contamination. Dental
practices can drastically reduce their impact on the environment by transitioning to environmentally friendly
materials like biodegradable composites and non-toxic sterilization processes.2 The transition is essential to
developing a sustainable healthcare system prioritizing human and environmental well-being. While eco-friendly
products and technologies may appear expensive initially, they provide significant economic advantages in the
future. For example, installing water- and energy-efficient equipment can result in substantial long-term savings
on utility expenses. These projects' incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) often demonstrate that long-
term savings outweigh the initial costs. By carefully analyzing the ICER, dental practices may make informed
decisions that benefit both the environment and their economic line. Additionally, promoting green dentistry can
help a practice's reputation and attract environmentally concerned patients, potentially increasing patient referrals
and loyalty while improving financial stability.
3 Patients with concerns about the environment and who prefer to
receive care from providers prioritizing sustainability are becoming increasingly prevalent. In a competitive
market, dental clinics can differentiate themselves by promoting green dentistry, which may increase patient
referral and loyalty rates. This may increase income growth and improve the practice’s overall financial stability.
Biocompatible materials, for instance, reduce the risk of allergic reactions and other side effects, enhancing
patient safety and satisfaction. Additionally, advanced, environmentally friendly technologies like digital
radiography minimize radiation exposure while improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. These
benefits contribute to higher standards of care, a core objective of the periodontal community.
Eco-friendly products can produce better therapeutic benefits. For example, biocompatible materials can improve
patient safety and satisfaction by lowering the risk of allergic reactions and other side effects.4 Also,
environmentally friendly materials can provide better clinical effects. Biocompatible materials, for example,
minimize the likelihood of allergic responses and other side effects, hence improving patient safety and
satisfaction. Adopting sophisticated, sustainable technology, such as digital radiography, decreases radiation
exposure while improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. These advantages contribute to greater
care levels, which is the periodontal community’s primary goal. Adopting sustainable periodontal procedures is
both ethical and practical. Adopting environmentally friendly materials and methods can help dental offices save
money over time, enhance patient outcomes, and gain a competitive advantage in their sector. The periodontal
community must advocate for and support integrating sustainable practices to advance patient health and global
environmental well-being.
1. Veress S, Kerekes-Máthé B, Székely M. Environmentally friendly behavior in dentistry. Medicine and Pharmacy Reports.
2023;96(2):199–205.
2. Mulligan S, Hatton PV, Martin N. Resin-based composite materials: elution and pollution. British Dental Journal. 2022;232:644–
52.
J Gandhara Med Dent Sci
3. Martin N, Sheppard M, Gorasia G, Arora P , Cooper M, Mulligan S. Drivers, opportunities and best practice for sustainability in
dentistry: A scoping review. Journal of Dentistry. 2021;112:103737.
4. Spałek J, Ociepa P, Deptuła P, Piktel E, Daniluk T, Król G, et al. Biocompatible Materials in Otorhinolaryngology and Their
Antibacterial Properties. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022;23(5):2575.
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It includes scholarlynetworks such as Research Gate, Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Academia.edu, Twitter, and other academic or professional networking sites.
LICENSE: JGMDS publishes its articles under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share-Alike license (CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0).
COPYRIGHTS: Authors retain the rights without any restrictions to freely download, print, share and disseminate the article for any lawful purpose.
It includes scholarlynetworks such as Research Gate, Google Scholar, LinkedIn, Academia.edu, Twitter, and other academic or professional networking sites.
January - March 2024
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Navigating the Challenges of Sustainable Dental
