A changing climate and the dental profession

Abstract

Climate change is the defining crisis of our time and experts fear it is happening faster than first predicted. In November 2021, the UK hosted COP26 where world leaders met to coordinate actions and renew commitments to tackle the problem head on. Whether COP26 galvanised the international community enough to turn a corner remains to be seen; however, as dental professionals, we face significant considerations regarding our opportunities to effect positive change. The aim of this paper is to provide a short account of the impact of dentistry on the environment, as well as to highlight some challenges and the potential for change available to the dental profession to become more sustainability-conscious. In dentistry, the main sources of carbon emissions are travel, procurement and energy use. Prevention of oral and dental disease is the single most important factor in reducing the environmental impact of dentistry long-term. It is essential that clinicians, manufacturers and relevant stakeholders are united in dealing with the environmental crisis to bring about effective change. Clinicians and patients should be encouraged to consciously think about their impact on the environment and to consider what adjustments they can make to their clinical practice and oral health habits.