Formal Report Proposal -Trisha Bhamra Revised

To: Dr. Jordan Turton

From: Trisha Bhamra, RDH

Date: February 15, 2022

Subject: Proposal for improving environmental practices at Flagship Dental to reduce its carbon footprint

Intended Audience

Dr. Jordan Turton (Principle Dentist and Owner of Flagship Dental)

Introduction

In the last year, extreme climate change such as severe forest fires, floods, tsunamis, and cyclones has highlighted the effects of global warming. The ramifications for not caring for the planet have become apparent now more than ever. Most countries are taking an action to improve their environmental practices and reduce the carbon footprint. As eco-consciousness is becoming popular, businesses’ from supermarket chains to car manufacturers are looking for ways to create and market “green” products. So the question is why should dental offices not get into “green dentistry” by improving their environmental practices.

On average within a given day about 24 autoclave bags are used and disposed of in the garbage. Calculated on a 200-day work year, that amounts to 4,800 pieces of autoclave paper and plastic being diverted from the landfill each year. Autoclave bags, which contain no biohazard materials, can be recycled in most communities after separating the plastic and paper portions of the bags. Alas, most dental offices don’t recycle the autoclave bags. Such startling statistics can be found for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves, one time use materials such as disposable cups, bibs, and saliva ejectors and plastic barriers to cover things that cannot be sterilized. The daily waste created from day-to-day operations of a dental office makes a significant impact on the environment. We must do more than just recycling paper and other plastics within dental office to be considered truly “green”.

 

Statement of Problem

Although, Flagship Dental has some environmental practices in play, there is a lack of accountability to implement environmental practices within the sterilization program and “green” PPE to further reduce the carbon footprint. The major implication of this problem is adding to the existing global warming from poor environmental practices, especially when environmental alternatives exist. We all must be accountable at home and work in trying to minimize our carbon footprint.

 

Proposed Solution

One possible solution to the problem of improving environmental practices at Flagship Dental is by choosing “green” alternatives to PPE, sterilization materials, plastic barriers and one time use dental products. For example, separating the plastic and paper of the autoclave bag and recycling it appropriately will reduce the waste created from tossing the autoclave bags in the garbage.

 

Scope

To assess the feasibility of improving environmental practices at Flagship Dental to reduce its carbon footprint.

1. What some green alternatives to PPE (gloves and masks), the current sterilization program, plastic barriers, disposable cups, and saliva ejectors and what the costs associated with them?
2. How large is the demand for green alternative for PPE (gloves and masks), the current sterilization program, plastic barriers within the dental practice? Will there be enough support from the staff to pursue this endeavour?
3. Can green alternatives meet the day-to-day demand of the dental office as well as traditional plastic/ non green version?
4. Does the dental market at large contain room for green alternatives? Is there enough demand for green alternatives in the field of dentistry?
5. What are the costs for retrieving these green alternatives to meet the day-to-day demands of the dental office?
6. What prices for the products can the dental office bear?

Methods

My primary sources will include interviews with Dr. Jordan Turton, principal dentist and owner of Flagship Dental. The purpose of interviewing the decision maker is to gather insight on how “green” they believe their current practice is. They will also provide some insight on their budget for dental materials.

I will also provide a survey to the other workers within the office to determine the “green” changes they would like to see within the dental office. I will round my primary research with an online survey asking about the feasibility of current green alternatives within other dental offices in the lower mainland. This will provide data from other “green” dental offices and how they are faring with the changes.

Secondary sources will include publications on the feasibility and acceptance of green alternatives vs. traditional dental office equipment while staying within the best practices standards.

 

My Qualifications

I have been practicing as a Registered Dental Hygienist for the last three years within different dental offices. I have experienced a variation of environmental practices within the dental offices. Although, my current dental office (Flagship Dental) has some environmental practices in place, I see a gap that can be filled. I am curious to see how one can improve environmental practices within a dental office while following the best practice standards as per Canadian Dental Association guidelines.

I hold a BSc. Microbiology and will receive my second BSc. Dental Sciences in June this year. I have recent relevant research experience through the literature reviews conducted in my BSc. Dental Science program. My association with Dr. Turton also gives me the opportunity for an in-depth feasibility study.

 

Conclusion

Clearly, action is needed to reduce the dental office waste and improve environmental practices.  The best place to start is at my place of work, Flagship Dental.  By addressing the six areas of inquiry mentioned earlier, I can determine the feasibility of improving environmental practices within Flagship Dental. This could also help other dental offices implement “green” alternatives and reduce their carbon footprint. With your approval I will begin research at once.