Abstract :
Background: Eco-friendly dentistry, or “Green Dentistry,” is a concept aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of dental practices by reducing waste, conserving energy, and preventing pollution. The idea first emerged during the 5th European Dental Students’ Association Congress in Belgrade, Serbia, in March 2003. It was proposed as a new and evolving practice to address the environmental harm caused by conventional dental methods. Objective: This review aims to present a series of “green” recommendations for dental professionals, patients, and dental industries, providing practical, sustainable alternatives to promote eco-friendly practices within the field of dentistry. Methods: An electronic search was conducted using the PubMed database, focusing on peer-reviewed articles up to February 2024 using the keywords “green dentistry,” “eco-friendly dentistry,” and “dental waste,” resulting in 45297, 1186, and 9372 items, respectively. After a thorough review, relevant data from other electronic sources were also included for additional information. Results: The adoption of green dentistry practices encourages the integration of sustainable technologies and methods by dental professionals. It promotes the use of eco-friendly materials, digital tools to reduce paper waste, energy-efficient equipment, and recycling programs, all of which contribute to reducing the ecological footprint of dental practices. Conclusion: Green dentistry offers a viable approach to making dental care more sustainable by reducing waste, conserving resources, and preventing pollution. By embracing sustainable practices, dental professionals, patients, and industries can collectively help minimize the environmental impact of dental care, ultimately promoting a greener wellness lifestyle
Keyword :
Eco-dentistry, Hazardous material, Green dentistry, Green recommendation, Dental professionals