title: What's in a bin: A case study of dental clinical waste composition and potential greenhouse gas emission savings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental practices have a unique position as dental staff use a high number of dental materials and instruments on a daily basis. It is unclear how dentists' and dental care professionals' choices and behaviours around selecting and using materials impact on the amount of unnecessary waste production. Although there are a number of articles exploring the quality and quantity of waste in dental practices, there are no studies on organisational strategies to decrease unnecessary waste. There is no clear economic analysis of the impact on associated cost to dental practices which consequently can affect the access of dental care for disadvantaged groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used an audit approach to explore the potential for sustainability in dental practice by measuring the nature and quantity of dental clinical waste, and assessing the feasibility of measuring the financial costs and potential carbon savings in the management of dental clinical waste.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data from our study would appear to support the view that it is possible to reduce carbon emissions and increase profitability. Successful implementation of an environmentally sustainable approach to waste management will be dependent on the practicalities involved and the financial incentives for adopting such practices.
authors.affiliation: Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.affiliation: Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grose
authors.affiliation: Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzi
authors.affiliation: Evidence Based Dentistry, Plymouth University Peninsula Dental School, The John Bull Building, Research Way, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8BU.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Evidence Based Dentistry, Plymouth University Peninsula Dental School, The John Bull Building, Research Way, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8BU.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Moles
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Business, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mukonoweshuro
authors.affiliation: Evidence Based Dentistry, Plymouth University Peninsula Dental School, The John Bull Building, Research Way, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 8BU.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasser
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Human Science, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nichols
mesh_terms: D003764:Dental Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018057:Dental Waste / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017752:Greenhouse Effect / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D011215:Practice Management, Dental / Q000191:economics; D059027:Recycling
chemical_list: D003764:Dental Materials; D018057:Dental Waste; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal