Sustainability in dentistry part II: Sustainability and the use of chemicals in dentistry

Abstract

The world is now in an existential ecological crisis. Our deleterious and unsustainable impact on the planet has, among other things, increased greenhouse gas emissions, with further injury from plastics and other waste in the environment. The evidence for an accelerating biodiversity crisis and serious soil degradation in many parts of the world is irrefutable. The pandemic risk to our species and our planet is not if, but when. We have to change the way we organise society in order to make the future sustainable for all species. Worldwide health systems are a significant contributor to environmental damage. The first article in this series discussed general aspects of sustainability in general practice, and this second article examines the use of chemicals in practice.