From the Editor
Dear Readers,
This month, Inside Dentistry joins countless others in the dental profession and around the world in recognizing the growing significance of Earth Day and the importance of doing all that we can to protect our natural resources. Founded in 1970 by then US Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, Earth Day was the first nationwide protest to direct attention to the need for a healthy environment. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day—which takes place on April 22—our cover feature examines what members of the dental industry are doing to make dental practices and the products we use more environmentally friendly.
One World, One Chance.As my colleagues point out in this month’s feature, when it comes to implementing environmentally friendly procedures and products in our practices, we’re essentially looking out for ourselves, our patients, our neighbors, and our planet. When we use digital radiography rather than traditional film x-rays, we expose our patients and our staff to less radiation, and we eliminate the use of chemicals that are harmful to the environment. When we make the conscious effort to purchase recycled paper products and switch to paperless record systems, we further contribute to a more eco-friendly way of operating.
Don’t Take Short Cuts. As the experts interviewed in our feature point out, going green does not equate with going cheap. While you might be tempted to conserve energy by running sanitizing equipment less, or to reduce chemicals by diluting disinfectants, our experts tell us this only jeopardizes infection control efforts. Instead, research the best alternatives for biodegradable and effective disinfectants; consider purchasing energy-efficient sterilization units and running them when they are full; and using other energy-saving and economical options.
Seek Out More Information.If there is any uncertainty about how to approach “going green” in your office, we encourage you to reach out to the organizations and resources mentioned in our feature that can provide information about incorporating environmentally safe products into your office. It’s our responsibility to do whatever we can at whatever our comfort level to protect our patients and our planet from harmful chemicals and unnecessary energy waste.
We hope you enjoy this issue and find that it stimulates your interest in taking action—whether small steps or giant leaps—toward becoming more environmentally responsible in your dental practice. Please send us your feedback to letters@insidedentistry.net. As I emphasize each month, your thoughts, opinions, and reactions motivate us to continually improve our clinical content and coverage of the topics impacting our profession. Thank you for reading and for your continued support.
With warm regards,
Gerard Kugel, DMD, MS, PhD
Associate Dean for Research
Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Boston, MA
gkugel@aegiscomm.com
