Enviro-Dentistry – Caring for our Patients and the Environment
Whitehorse Dental is an environmentally-friendly practice. We have many eco-friendly procedures in place to reduce our footprint on the environment.
We Use Sustainable Instruments
Many dental practices use single-use instruments, mostly for convenience, as sterilising and reprocessing instruments takes time. At Whitehorse Dental, we are committed to being as sustainable as possible and, instead of single-use products, we use reusable instruments made of steel or high quality resin wherever possible.
Every instrument is sterilised to the highest standard. Our team would rather take the time to do this for patient safety and the environment than using single-use instruments and discarding them into landfill.
We Use Less Plastic
We minimise plastic usage at our practice by choosing more sustainable products. We use steel cups instead of plastic cups and we use steel or high quality resin dishes to dispense materials instead of single-use plastic.
Many dental clinics use plastic drapes over the dental chair, so changeover is faster and easier – we don’t. Instead, we allocate extra time between patients to carry out our high quality cleaning and disinfectant procedures to maintain the highest standard of hygiene for our patients.
We Recycle
Whitehorse Dental is part of Colgate® and TerraCycle’s free oral care product packaging recycling program. You can drop off used toothbrushes, old toothpaste tubes and caps, electric toothbrush heads, and floss containers to our practice and they will be recycled.
Our amalgam waste is also collected and disposed of correctly by CMA Ecocycle to ensure it doesn’t end up in our waterways. Additionally, we always recycle our light bulbs and batteries.
Less Plastic, Less Waste To Landfill = Better for the Environment
With our commitment to sustainable practices within our dental surgery, every week we save around 3 large garbage bags of plastic waste from going into landfill.
We have also chosen to use high quality hand towels for our bathrooms, which are laundered after each use, instead of using disposable hand towels.
If you’re looking for a dental practice that cares, not only about our patients but also the environment, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Enviro-Dentistry?
Enviro-Dentistry, also known as eco- or green dentistry, refers to environmentally sustainable dental practices that reduce waste, conserve energy, and use safer materials without compromising on patient care.
How is Whitehorse Dental practising Enviro-Dentistry?
Whitehorse Dental has implemented an Enviro-Dentistry program that includes:
Reusable stainless-steel and resin instruments
Reduced single-use plastics
Safe amalgam waste disposal
Partnership with Colgate and TerraCycle to recycle oral care waste
Battery and light bulb recycling
Waste reduction of approximately three garbage bags per week
Why is Enviro-Dentistry important?
It minimises the dental industry’s environmental footprint, reduces landfill waste, and protects natural resources. It also supports community health by safely managing mercury and other hazardous waste.
What dental products can I recycle at Whitehorse Dental?
Whitehorse Dental recycles:
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste tubes
Dental floss containers
Electric toothbrush heads
All are collected through TerraCycle’s Oral Care Recycling Program.
Are there any benefits to patients?
Yes. Enviro-Dentistry promotes a healthier environment, reduces exposure to unnecessary plastics and chemicals, and aligns with patient values around sustainability and community well-being.
Is Enviro-Dentistry a growing trend in Australia?
Yes. More dental practices are adopting green initiatives in line with the Australian Dental Association’s sustainability guidelines, including energy-efficient equipment, digital records, and responsible procurement.
Does Enviro-Dentistry compromise cleanliness or safety?
Not at all. Whitehorse Dental uses medical-grade sterilisation for reusable items and follows strict hygiene protocols to ensure patient safety while reducing waste.
What is done with old amalgam fillings?
Amalgam waste, which contains mercury, is safely collected and disposed of by certified waste management providers to prevent environmental contamination.
Can patients participate in Enviro-Dentistry efforts?
Yes. Patients are encouraged to bring used oral care items for recycling and support the practice’s sustainability efforts through informed choices and by spreading awareness.
How much plastic waste is reduced by Whitehorse Dental?
The clinic estimates that its Enviro-Dentistry program diverts three large bags of plastic waste from landfill every week through reusable tools and recycling initiatives.
