Green Dentistry
Dentists have already "gone green" because of the benefits it brings, not only to the health of their patients, but to the environment as well.
Eco-dentistry or "green dentistry" is a term created by the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA).
Dentists, who practice it, use procedures, treatments, and machines which are environment-friendly.
They use high-technologies to boost the efficiency and effectiveness in delivering oral health and dental treatments without adding to the environment's waste and pollution.
Eco-Practice had helped dental practitioners enhance their practices and procedures, and at the same time, help them become more eco-friendly.
They have discovered the health benefits this kind of dentistry brings to the environment and their patients.
For one, instead of using the traditional film x-ray, green offices uses the digital x-ray - one of their most important innovations.
Aside from enhanced image quality, the digital x-ray emits 90% less radiation and harmful chemicals released to the environment, such as lead and silver, gradually decreases.
And because of the better image quality, the image can be enlarged, allowing the dentist to have better diagnostic details and accuracy.
Secondly, green dental offices avoid releasing harmful chemicals in the air and toxic wastes in water supplies.
To do that, they use biodegradable disinfectants of high-quality and steam sterilization methods.
And for washable and reusable materials, such as cloth bibs, gowns, and head rest covers, they have energy-star washers and dryers placed on site to facilitate those.
Lastly, green-dentistry now embraces today's adhesive dental restorations that don't need metal.
Because people nowadays are more interested in natural-looking restorations, this dentistry uses direct composite bonding, or porcelain veneers and crowns.
With these kinds of tooth-colored restorations, they are able to provide you beautiful, metal-free smile treatments.
Also, these kinds of restorations help eliminate the metal wastes related to amalgam fillings that could go to the main water supply and harm patient's health.
Who could be a green dentist? The main objective of eco-dentists is to instill practices, methods, and technologies that would not harm the patient's health and our environment.
Green dentists and the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA) make sure that their practices do not have any negative impact on their surroundings - such as using energy-efficient fluorescent lights and low-flow faucets and ceilings.
They even make sure that the paint used in painting their office does not emit harmful toxins in the air or the one that doesn't contain any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
So, basically, anyone can be a green dentist.
There are dentists who have been certified with the Green DOC certificate on Bronze, Silver, or Gold level because of documenting their efforts on maintaining clean, green dentistry.
Also, there are those dentists who had already achieved high-standards for clean and green dentistry and were given certificates by the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA).
Still, even though you are assured that the dentist is eco-friendly, you still have to know if this dentist had the required education and training for his or her practice so that you wouldn't have problems in asking for the kind of treatment you will need.
Eco-dentistry or "green dentistry" is a term created by the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA).
Dentists, who practice it, use procedures, treatments, and machines which are environment-friendly.
They use high-technologies to boost the efficiency and effectiveness in delivering oral health and dental treatments without adding to the environment's waste and pollution.
Eco-Practice had helped dental practitioners enhance their practices and procedures, and at the same time, help them become more eco-friendly.
They have discovered the health benefits this kind of dentistry brings to the environment and their patients.
For one, instead of using the traditional film x-ray, green offices uses the digital x-ray - one of their most important innovations.
Aside from enhanced image quality, the digital x-ray emits 90% less radiation and harmful chemicals released to the environment, such as lead and silver, gradually decreases.
And because of the better image quality, the image can be enlarged, allowing the dentist to have better diagnostic details and accuracy.
Secondly, green dental offices avoid releasing harmful chemicals in the air and toxic wastes in water supplies.
To do that, they use biodegradable disinfectants of high-quality and steam sterilization methods.
And for washable and reusable materials, such as cloth bibs, gowns, and head rest covers, they have energy-star washers and dryers placed on site to facilitate those.
Lastly, green-dentistry now embraces today's adhesive dental restorations that don't need metal.
Because people nowadays are more interested in natural-looking restorations, this dentistry uses direct composite bonding, or porcelain veneers and crowns.
With these kinds of tooth-colored restorations, they are able to provide you beautiful, metal-free smile treatments.
Also, these kinds of restorations help eliminate the metal wastes related to amalgam fillings that could go to the main water supply and harm patient's health.
Who could be a green dentist? The main objective of eco-dentists is to instill practices, methods, and technologies that would not harm the patient's health and our environment.
Green dentists and the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA) make sure that their practices do not have any negative impact on their surroundings - such as using energy-efficient fluorescent lights and low-flow faucets and ceilings.
They even make sure that the paint used in painting their office does not emit harmful toxins in the air or the one that doesn't contain any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).
So, basically, anyone can be a green dentist.
There are dentists who have been certified with the Green DOC certificate on Bronze, Silver, or Gold level because of documenting their efforts on maintaining clean, green dentistry.
Also, there are those dentists who had already achieved high-standards for clean and green dentistry and were given certificates by the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA).
Still, even though you are assured that the dentist is eco-friendly, you still have to know if this dentist had the required education and training for his or her practice so that you wouldn't have problems in asking for the kind of treatment you will need.