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April 2009 | Dental Producs Report
There are so many ways—large and small—that you can adapt your practice to be more eco-friendly, not all of which we list here. Consider each of these categories a potential starting point. Digital radiography. In addition to exposing patients to 90% less radiation, digital imaging technology also eliminates the need for x-ray development chemicals and other film-related waste. Digital imaging also is an important step in a paper-free digital workflow. Cabinetry. The cost of new cabinetry means this might not be one of the first changes you make in your practice, but if you are considering remodeling your practice sometime soon, it could be one of the most important. Research what materials are used in various cabinets and operatory furniture. For example, the structure of Midmark’s Integra™ Dental Casework (midmark.com) is primarily made from steel and medium density fiberboard (MDF) with both materials consisting of a high recycled content. The MDF panels are made from NAF board, which improves air quality by reducing the off gassing of urea formaldehyde. The casework also is in compliance with the California Air Resource Board airborne toxic control measure to control formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. Digital scheduling and charting. One word: Paperless. There are several great practice management software programs available to make your transition to paperless as painless as possible. Cleaning agents. With so many different chemicals in cleaning agents, it’s important to take into account their impact on the environment as well as their ability to clean instruments. Enzyme Industries’ eco-friendly Sani-Treet Green (enzymeindustries.com) features cleaning agents that biodegrade quickly and efficiently. Sterilizers. Many green practices are switching to steam-based, surgical-grade sterilization. These units contain no harmful chemicals and help reduce water use. Apparel. In addition to using more energy efficient washers and dryers for cleaning lab coats and scrubs, you and your staff can be on the lookout for uniforms made from earth-friendly fibers such as bamboo, available through both Cherokee (cherokee4less.com) and Smart Scrubs (smartscrubs.com). Instrumentation. Conversations about recycling are usually paper-centric, but instrument recycling can be just as valuable. In addition to creating instruments that remain sharper longer, manufacturers have launched recycling programs such as Hu-Friedy’s Environdent scaler recycling program (hu-friedy.com) that allows participants to send in 12 used instruments, purchase 12 others, and in turn, get one free. The used scalers and currettes are melted down as scrap metal used for non-medical applications. Water treatment. Think outside the operatory—all the way down to your pipes. ConFirm Monitoring System’s BluTab (confirmmonitoring.com) is formulated to be continuously present in your water lines and to keep lines clean. The added bonus? It also has been registered with the U.S. EPA and all 50 states.
Homecare homework…
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