Green Dentistry
At Boulder Dental Designs we care about our environment! While staying within the healthcare industry standards, we strive daily to be good stewards to the earth and keep it green! Listed below are a few ways our office has adapted our practices to do our part:
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Digital xrays- this eliminates waste from fixer, toner and lead. No hazardous chemical waste.
- Digital record gathering- reduces paper in the office
- Email and text message capability for patients that do not need/want a reminder card- this saves paper and reduces carbon footprint from mail transportation
- We also recycle old printer toner and ink-jet cartridges
- Email all referrals and xrays to our specialists- saves paper, ink, and reduces carbon footprint from mail transportation
- PACE certified- “Partnership for a clean environment” PACE is an organization that assists businesses in addressing their operating practices to help reduce environmental impacts on the community. They have certified that we are doing our part!
- We buy supplies in bulk and recycle packaging from supply shipments- this reduces the amount of packaging needed and also cuts down on transportation.
- We use a waterless vacuum system- this saves enough water to fill an average sized hot tub a day!
- Clean water lines regularly with biodegradable cleaner- creates an efficient flow of water and does not release toxins into the environment.
- We do not use toxic cold sterile chemicals such asgluteraldehyde.
- Use metal, autoclavable impression trays and xray sensor holders, creating less waste.
- Energy saving lighting- we installed compact flourescent bulbs instead of incandescent to reduce the use of energy.
- Use CDC compliant waterless hand sanitizers throughout the day- saves water and is non-toxic to the earth or our skin.
- Use only tooth colored fillings- no more amalgam waste!
- Steam sterilization- eliminates the use of harsh chemicals
- CAD/CAM technology to fabricate crowns in office- reduces carbon footprint for patient travel back and forth to office and for shipping of materials back and forth to a lab. Also reduces use of disposable impression materials.
- Use cloth lab coats rather than disposable and wash them in an eco-friendly, onsite washing machine.
- We have an amalgam separator in our vacuum lines- no amalgam is getting back into the environment.
- Energy star rated printers/fax, computers, etc to save energy.
- Recycle old hand instruments- sometimes these get turned into car bumpers!