From Classrooms to Clinics: Calculating a Sustainable Future in Dentistry

As the new academic year kicks off in the UK, it's the perfect time to reflect on the evolution of an essential tool that has shaped mathematics education for decades: the calculator. From humble beginnings to sophisticated graphing devices, calculators have come a long way, much like our students embarking on a new term of learning and growth.

The Evolution of Calculators in Education

In the early days, calculators were simple devices, limited in functionality but groundbreaking for their time. The introduction of graphing calculators in the 1980s marked a significant advancement, allowing students to visualise complex mathematical concepts. Today, calculators are sophisticated tools with features like touchscreens and computer algebra systems, making them indispensable in classrooms.

Crunching Numbers for a Greener Future: A Growing Trend

A recent survey among dentists revealed significant interest in environmentally friendly practices. 74.49% of respondents expressed a positive attitude towards the concept, and 98.97% were willing to take steps towards environmental awareness in their practice. This demonstrates a growing commitment to sustainability in the dental profession. As the oral health sector becomes more environmentally conscious, carbon calculators like Greener Dentistry Global’s CO2e Calculator have become valuable tools for measuring and reducing environmental impact.

Based on the concept developed by Professor Brett Duane and Ingeborg Steinbach, the CO2e calculator is a key feature of Greener Dentistry Global’s sustainability hub. It allows dental practices to measure, monitor, and report carbon emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3 categories, offering a comprehensive view of their environmental impact. It's like a plaque-disclosing tablet for your carbon emissions – highlighting the areas needing attention!

Reducing Emissions in Dentistry: Key Areas to Address

A study highlighted that 64.5% of emissions in dental services are associated with travel (staff and patients), 19% with procurement, and 15.3% with energy use. This suggests that addressing these areas could reduce carbon footprints.

To assist with this, dentists can use the CO2e calculator, which breaks down emissions from various sources such as travel, energy use, procurement, and waste management. By inputting data into the calculator, dental practices can gain a clear picture of their carbon footprint and identify areas for improvement. This tool simplifies the process, making it easy and practical to implement sustainable practices that benefit both the practice and the planet.

Calculating a Brighter Future

As we start this new academic year, let's take a moment to appreciate how far we've come – from counting on our fingers to calculating carbon emissions with sophisticated tools. Whether you're a student tackling algebra or a dentist striving for sustainability, every calculation brings us one step closer to solving the big problems.

And remember, when it comes to creating a brighter future, we're all in this equation together.

For more information on how to make your dental practice more sustainable, visit Greener Dentistry Global and start your journey towards a greener future.

Posted by Gemma