COLUMN LEGAL DENTISTRY – The environmental law/sustainability present in the daily routine of Dentistry

COLUMN LEGAL DENTISTRY – The environmental law/sustainability present in the daily routine of Dentistry

Vol. 12 – Number 47 – 2021

COLUMN LEGAL DENTISTRY

Page 7
The environmental law/sustainability present in the daily routine of Dentistry

Prof. Roberley Araújo Assad
– MSc PhD, Dental Surgeon CRO/PR-7497
– Graduation Professor and Coordinator of Post-Graduation in Orthodontics – Cescage/Ponta Grossa;
– Graduation Professor and Coordinator of Post-Graduation in Orthodontics – Faculdade Herrero/Curitiba;
– Post-graduation coordinator of Orthodontics, Soepar/Curitiba;
– Post-graduation Professor of Orthodontics – Ioa/Avantis/Curitiba – Joinville/SC;
– Graduating in Law – Dom Bosco/Curitiba;
– Scientific Reviewer of Orthoscience.

It is necessary to emphasize that our work environment in clinics is directly related to the environment in general, which the current generation is extremely rigorous in trying to preserve. Everything that involves the theme results in the union of young people, who do not measure efforts to support and protect everything that in the future will be fundamental for the new generations to live well. Several points in our daily lives should be habitually reviewed and taken care of, such as, and especially, the conscious use of water, clothing (disposable or not) and waste disposal (contaminated or common).

See how this subject is so important and pertinent that oral health is already included in the United Nations’ agenda 2030 for healthy development. During the 6th Sustainable Dentistry Symposium, held by ABCD, ADI, APCE and other supporting entities, the Minamata convention on mercury and the Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage were also topics discussed¹.

The coordinator of the Sustainable Dentistry Center at Fluminense Federal University, Claudio Fernandes, recalled in an interview that the dentist is an agent of sustainability and his involvement in the theme is necessary: “He needs to interact with the patient, his population. Each person uses three or four toothbrushes a year. Every year there are 100 thousand tons of plastic just from toothbrushes. The dentist can install in his office a point of collection of toothbrushes from his patients. It is a simple action, but it has a great impact on the environment, on sustainability”¹.

Bringing this agenda to the reality of Dentistry means that the professional must seek solutions that take into account the preservation of natural resources, allied to costs and, of course, valuing the patient. An example is the conscious use of materials during the appointment, avoiding unnecessary expenses and losses; and the correct disposal of materials. “Among the various aspects of sustainability in Dentistry, the professional must learn to deal with the production, treatment, and disposal of solid waste, discuss the impact of dental amalgam on the environment, since mercury is used in the preparation of dental amalgam, and other issues that cover the handling of water and energy that must also be discussed”².

We are facing a new type of consumer that, although not yet representing society as a whole, already corresponds to a good portion of it: “This new consumer is more aware of issues related to consumption and environmental maintenance. Companies or professionals who are investing in sustainable growth and respect for the environment end up winning over this new consumer, and the health field is also aware of this new paradigm”².

The professional who is concerned about the most peculiar aspects that this column discusses in this issue is quickly gaining notoriety with patients and the public in general, because the TV news is intense when the subject hurts or mistreats the environment in any of its segments. It has already been photographed a turtle turtle was photographed with a plastic straw stuck in one of its nostrils, which caused a worldwide commotion due to its inability to remove it and have to live with it for who knows what period of its life.

The paths converge so that in the daily routine of our dental practices, we can find solutions to plan and achieve an increase in the remuneration of all those involved in the clinics, concomitantly reducing waste, allied to actions that preserve the internal and external environment of the physical redoubt of our work.

I thank the cited authors for the great content, indispensable for dentistry.

References:
1. Costa M. Dentistry and Sustainability: what can the Dental Surgeon do to ensure the continuity of life on the planet? [Accessed on: 24 Apr 2021]. Available at: http://www.apcd.org.br/index.php/noticias/1528/acontece-no-ciosp-site/21-02-2020/odontologia-e-sustentabilidade-o-que-o-cirurgiao-dentista-pode-fazer-para-garantir-a-continuidade-da

2. Orthodontic. [homepage on the internet] The challenges for sustainable dentistry. [Accessed on: 24 Apr 2021]. Available from: https://www.orthodonticbrasil.com.br/orthodontic/os-desafios-para-uma-odontologia-sustentavel/

DOI: 10.24077/2021;1247-OL7

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