Sustainability in dentistry: an overview and Cefla’s role
Sustainability has become a priority across all sectors, and dentistry is no exception. With a significant environmental impact linked to energy consumption, waste generation, and resource use, the dental industry is now called upon to rethink its practices in a more responsible way.
The focus on climate change and the growing awareness of its impact on public health are prompting more and more professionals to consider how to reduce the environmental footprint of their practices without compromising the quality of care provided to patients. But what does it actually mean to make a dental practice sustainable? And what solutions are available to professionals in the field?
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview and explore the role of the Cefla Medical Equipment Business Unit in this transformation.
What does “sustainability in dentistry” mean?
Sustainable dentistry is an approach to dental practice that takes into account the environmental, social, and economic impacts of dental care. It is based on the adoption of practices and procedures that reduce negative environmental impacts, promote long-term oral health, and foster social responsibility. The concept can be summarized in a concise definition: the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the resources and opportunities of future generations. For dental practices, this translates into a commitment to minimizing their ecological footprint and preserving natural resources.
The numbers help illustrate the scale of the challenge. According to OECD data, the healthcare industry as a whole accounts for approximately 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Added to this are the daily generation of non-recyclable plastic waste, water and energy consumption, and the environmental impact associated with the transportation of patients and staff.
Adopting a sustainable approach therefore means taking action on multiple fronts: from the choice of materials to waste management, from energy efficiency to prevention, and finally to reducing invasive procedures through a greater focus on patient education.
Key aspects of sustainability in dentistry
Sustainability in dentistry encompasses several aspects, all of which are interconnected. Understanding and managing these areas is essential for building a more environmentally responsible dental practice.
Waste management and plastic reduction
Dental offices generate large amounts of waste every day, particularly single-use plastics: disposable instruments, packaging, containers, and supplies. To reduce this impact, it is essential to adopt effective waste management and recycling systems, prioritizing reusable or biodegradable alternatives.
Energy efficiency and water conservation
Dental equipment requires energy to operate, and many procedures involve significant water usage. Addressing these issues means adopting LED lighting, efficient heating and cooling systems, low-flow faucets, and, where possible, renewable energy sources such as solar panels.
Transportation of patients and staff
A study of the British healthcare system revealed that 64.5% of a dental practice’s emissions are associated with patient and staff travel. Optimizing appointments, scheduling more procedures during the same visit, and incorporating telemedicine for remote consultations and follow-ups can significantly reduce these emissions.
Choice of materials and durability of equipment
Prioritizing biocompatible materials that are free of harmful substances and have a low environmental impact is a key consideration. Added to this is the importance of choosing high-quality, durable equipment: dental units and instruments designed to last reduce the need for frequent replacements and, consequently, waste generation. The ability to upgrade, refurbish, or recycle equipment at the end of its life is also part of a circular economy approach that is becoming increasingly important for the sector.
Technological innovation
New technologies in dentistry play a key role in making the sector more sustainable. Integrated software platforms, digital diagnostic systems, artificial intelligence, and automated workflows improve practice efficiency in many ways: they reduce the consumption of resources and materials, optimize treatment times, minimize diagnostic errors, and, as a result, reduce the overall impact of each treatment plan. The same applies to digital imaging systems, which, as demonstrated by the solutions developed by MyRay, are now capable of automatically adapting exposure parameters to the characteristics of the patient and the clinical examination, ensuring high-quality images with the correct radiation dose for each patient.
Responsible prevention
Sustainable dentistry places great emphasis on prevention. Educating patients about proper oral hygiene and regular checkups reduces the need for invasive treatments and the consumption of resources. This also means guiding them toward more mindful choices in their daily lives: from using bamboo toothbrushes or those with replaceable heads, to properly disposing of toothpaste tubes, to conserving water while brushing their teeth. An informed patient becomes an active participant in the sustainability journey, helping to reduce the environmental impact far beyond the walls of the dental office.
Responsible production in the supply chain
Finally, sustainability isn’t just about the dental practice, it encompasses the entire supply chain. Choosing suppliers and manufacturers that use processes with a low environmental impact and minimize energy consumption means contributing to a more sustainable value chain as a whole.
Cefla’s role in making the dental industry more sustainable
In this scenario of growing focus on sustainability, Cefla is making a concrete commitment to developing more efficient and responsible solutions for the dental sector through its Cefla Medical Equipment Business Unit, Europe’s leading manufacturer of dental equipment. The Business Unit designs and manufactures technologies for dental practices, such as dental units, imaging solutions, sterilization systems, and software, with the goal of helping professionals optimize processes, reduce waste, and manage resources more efficiently.
Technological innovation is one of the main tools for achieving these objectives. Among the solutions developed by Cefla Medical Equipment are, for example, smart energy management systems for dental units, such as the “Patient Presence Sensor”, a technology that automatically detects the patient’s presence and activates certain functions of the dental unit only when necessary. The system also enables automatic standby mode during periods of inactivity, helping to reduce the practice’s energy consumption. To extend these benefits to existing equipment as well, Cefla Medical Equipment also offers the option to integrate the “Patient Presence Sensor” into dental units manufactured from June 2023 onward through retrofit upgrades that allow the system to be updated without completely replacing the equipment.
The lighting on the dental unit can also have a significant impact on the practice’s energy consumption. For this reason, our Business Unit recommends replacing traditional halogen lamps with modern LED lamps: this reduces power consumption from approximately 95W to approximately 15W, resulting in an 84% reduction in energy consumption.
The digitization of workflows represents another step toward a more sustainable field of dentistry. The digital diagnostic equipment developed by Cefla Medical Equipment enables the creation of a “digital patient”, simplifying the planning of complex treatments, such as implant procedures using guided surgery. More precise planning reduces the number of appointments required, optimizing the clinical pathway and, at the same time, helping to minimize the patient’s travel.
At the same time, Cefla Medical Equipment continues to invest in the development of digital technologies designed to make clinical workflows increasingly efficient and sustainable. Software platforms for digital imaging, intraoral scanners, and advanced sterilization systems help dental practices optimize time, resources, and operational management, reducing waste and unnecessary consumption.
The Business Unit’s commitment to sustainability also extends to business processes. Cefla Medical Equipment voluntarily adheres to the international ISO 14001 standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), the benchmark for managing and improving environmental performance. The standard is based on the Deming Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act), a model focused on continuous improvement that guides the planning, implementation, monitoring, and optimization of business processes. This approach underscores the company’s commitment to integrating sustainability into every stage of the design and production of its solutions.
Contact us today for more information about Cefla Medical Equipment’s solutions and the Business Unit’s commitment to a more sustainable future for dentistry!