Environmental Sustainability in Dentistry: Challenges, Innovations, and Strategic Directions
Keywords:
Sustainable Dentistry, Dental Education, Green Dental Materials, Environmental Sustainability, Institutional Policy, Eco-Friendly Healthcare, Healthcare InnovationAbstract
The environmental impact of dentistry has drawn increasing concern, prompting global efforts to adopt sustainable practices within dental education and clinical care. This narrative review aims to examine the current state of sustainability in dentistry, identify key challenges, and highlight successful interventions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, using Boolean search strategies and targeted keywords. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, focusing on educational initiatives, material innovations, and institutional policies. Findings reveal that educational integration significantly improves awareness and promotes sustainable behavior among dental students, although implementation remains inconsistent due to curricular limitations. Innovations such as polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and recycled zirconia offer promising alternatives to traditional materials, reducing environmental impact while maintaining clinical effectiveness. Institutional policies, economic considerations, and cultural factors emerged as systemic enablers or barriers to sustainable dentistry. Notably, supportive policies and structured training are associated with higher adoption rates, while financial constraints and lack of awareness impede progress. This review emphasizes the urgent need for strategic interventions, including policy development, financial incentives, and community engagement, to facilitate widespread adoption of eco-friendly dental practices. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts and standardized sustainability metrics. Strengthening educational infrastructure and cross sector collaboration remains essential for advancing sustainable dental care globally.
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