LAUSR

To make dentistry more environmentally sustainable consideration should be given to product choice, policies, sustainability education and financial support for priority areas of research. Global commitment to sustainability and demands for a sustainable world are growing. This article provides an introduction to environmentally sustainable dentistry and offers perspectives on managing drivers to reduce carbon emissions and make dentistry more environmentally sustainable. Within dentistry, travel creates the highest carbon emissions and also contributes to human health damage. Internally, there are a number of ways to reduce impact by decreasing travel and energy use, as well as carefully considering the types of items purchased (and how they are disposed of). Larger dental organisations can influence their suppliers and industry by choosing to purchase from sustainable companies. From an external driver perspective, policy, guidance and research are essential. Governments need to re-evaluate decontamination policies from an environmental perspective. Decontamination documents need revision to consider both planetary and public health. Insurance providers and healthcare purchasers should review policies to influence the sustainability of providers. Sustainability education needs to be considered as part of the curriculum of dental students. Guidance could also be developed for the dental industry to produce sustainable products. Identifying hot spots or areas of high environmental contributions using other assessments such as life cycle analysis would allow dentistry to identify products or practices that have a disproportionate adverse impact on the environment and might be prioritised for change. This should include an analysis of single-use instruments, chemicals, and products. Building research capacity by training students and creating virtual or physical centres for sustainability is essential. Financial support is needed for priority areas of research.