New Sustainable Dentistry e-learning resource launched today
A new session on sustainable dentistry been released on the award winning e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) platform.
*Update: the Environmental sustainability in dentistry module has been update and re-launched in May 2023 and is now available on the e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) platform.*
Released today, on NHS Sustainability Day 2016, the resource provides an introduction to climate change and explores the main principles of sustainable practice and their application in dentistry. It encourages clinicians and managers to make sustainable choices and identifies practical tools and resources to support this.
The material has been developed by dentists, Dr Devika Vadher and Dr Divya Verma, working with CSH as Sustainable Dentistry Scholars – part-time roles funded by Health Education England’s Kent, Surrey and Sussex team. It can be accessed by the dental team free of charge on the e-LfH website which provides 24/7 access to nationally quality-assured materials on a wide range of topics in health and social care including dentistry. These sessions utilise an engaging and interactive presentation style using images, video and animation as well as self assessment to help build knowledge and understanding.
The NHS has a carbon footprint of 22.8 million tonnes CO2e per year. This includes emissions from building use, travel, purchasing of goods and services and commissioning. Dentistry contributes 3% to this footprint, almost one million tonnes CO2e per year.
Dr Divya Verma said, ‘There is no doubt that climate change will impact health, the delivery of healthcare and access to services in the UK. As health practitioners, who are concerned with the well-being of patients, it is imperative that we consider the environment whilst providing healthcare. Although it can seem insignificant, every action we take is helping to make a difference and there is great potential at the moment to bring about change and empower dental teams to integrate sustainability in their practice as well as create change makers in dentistry for the future.’
