How do dental professionals perceive sustainable dentistry? A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Dental Public Health
• Sustainability in Healthcare

Background:

• The dental industry faces pressure to reduce its environmental impact due to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
• Integrating sustainability into dental education and practice is crucial for addressing ecological concerns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore dental professionals' perceptions of ecological issues.
• To understand how sustainable practices are conceptualized and integrated into clinical routines.
• To identify continuing education needs in sustainable dentistry.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, exploratory study involving six virtual focus groups with 28 dental practitioners in Québec, Canada.
• Participants included dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants from public and private clinics.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze verbatim transcriptions of the focus group sessions.

Main Results:

• Professionals expressed concern for climate change and future generations, defining sustainability as minimizing ecological impact while maintaining infection control.
• A lack of information was noted, with a tendency to focus on waste reduction over higher-impact areas like travel.
• Barriers included time constraints, cost, infection control regulations, and hierarchical structures, impacting individual and systemic change.

Conclusions:

• Continuing education programs on sustainable dentistry are needed, tailored to professional roles and learning preferences (e.g., hybrid formats).
• Clear clinical protocols, designated sustainability leads, and supportive procurement and regulatory policies are essential for successful implementation.
• Addressing multilevel barriers and enablers is key to integrating sustainable practices within dental settings.