f CEvaluating the Environmental Impact of Consumables Used in DentistryEvaluating the Environmental Impact of Consumables Used in DentistryEvaluating the Environmental Impact of Consumables Used in Dentistryg p ySamantha Steininger Joyce Dinglasan-Panlilio PhD David Hannula DDS and Jenne Stabbert DDSSamantha Steininger, Joyce Dinglasan-Panlilio PhD, David Hannula DDS, and Jenne Stabbert, DDSg , y g , , ,

Backgro nd Results ResultsBackground Results ResultsgThe practice of dentistry dates back to approximately 7000

P t f D t l P ti t PThe practice of dentistry dates back to approximately 7000 BC However dentistry as a real profession did not become Total Number of Disposable Dental Percentage  of Dental Patients Per BC. However, dentistry as a real profession did not become

hTotal Number of Disposable Dental 

Products UsedYearpopular until the 19th century (NDA 2012). Products UsedYearp p y ( )Pierre Fauchard (1678-1761) was the first to write a book on

25000

Pierre Fauchard (1678 1761) was the first to write a book on dentistry and is known as the father of modern dentistry and 25000dentistry and is known as the father of modern dentistry and

4 Month Periodthe first to perform dentistry in a scientific manner. His book 20000

4 Month Period

1 Y P i d

p ywas published in 1723 and it described in detail dental 20000 1 Year Periodwas published in 1723 and it described in detail dental deca tooth anatom oral diseases dental deformities and

sed

Restorative Patientsdecay, tooth anatomy, oral diseases, dental deformities, and

s UsRestorative Patients

Hygiene Patientsprocedures for tooth extraction, prevention, and restoration 15000

uctsHygiene Patientsp , p ,

(Feinberg)

rod(Feinberg).

I th t th j it f d t l i t t d

of PrIn the past, the majority of dental instruments were made

10000er ofrom stainless steel (Blacksmith Surgical 2011). However,

mbe

( g ) ,most dentists are currently replacing these stainless steel

Nummost dentists are currently replacing these stainless steel

i t t ith l ti di bl d t i th ’5000

instruments with plastic disposable products since they’re 5000

cheap, easy to use, and prevent the spread of germs c eap, easy to use, a d p e e t t e sp ead o ge sbetween patients

0

between patients. 0

Bibs Masks HVE Suction Instrument  Trash Bag Water Tip Figure 5: Infrared spectrum of polypropyleneStudy Objective Covers

ProductFigure 5: Infrared spectrum of polypropylene.Study Objective

Th f thi t d t tif lProduct

Fi 2 P t f d t l ti t th t i it th ffiThe purpose of this study was to quantify several Figure 2: Percentage of dental patients that visit the office per year. Figure 3: Total number of each disposable dental product used.consumables used in a typical dental practice within a four

g p p

Table 2 Compositional data for each prod ctconsumables used in a typical dental practice within a four month period and evaluate the environmental impact of these

Table 2: Compositional data for each product.month period, and evaluate the environmental impact of these

t i l ft di l Percentage of Each Material Used to Item # Name Compositionmaterials after disposal. Percentage of Each Material Used to Create Disposable Dental Prod ts

Item # Name Composition

M th dCreate Disposable Dental Products 1 Bib High Density PolyethyleneMethods 1 Bib High Density Polyethylene

Thi t d t k l f J 1st t A il 30thThis study took place from January 1st to April 30th, 2012 at 6th Ave Dental Care Practice owned by Dr. 2 Suction High Density PolyethyleneyDavid R Hannula

g y y yDavid R. Hannula.D i 4 th i d th t t l b f hDuring a 4 month period, the total number of each disposable dental used was counted and recorded on a High Density  3 Trash Bag Paperdisposable dental used was counted and recorded on a daily basis (Figure 1) Polyethylene

g pdaily basis (Figure 1). F l d t d t i th b d f h

y yPolypropyleneFormula used to determine the number used for each Polypropylene

4 W t Ti Othproduct: Total # Used= (# of restorative patients # 4 Water Tip Otherproduct: Total # Used (# of restorative patients # used)+(# of hygiene patients # used) Paperused)+(# of hygiene patients # used). C l t d t t d d lti li d b 3 tComplete data set was summed and multiplied by 3 to Other 5 Instrument Cover High Density Polyethyleneestimate the number of products used in a year.

Other 5 Instrument Cover High Density Polyethyleneestimate the number of products used in a year.FTIR was performed for compositional purposesFTIR was performed for compositional purposes.

Figure 6: Infrared spectrum of polyethylene6 Mask Polypropylene

Figure 6: Infrared spectrum of polyethylene.6 Mask Polypropylene The majority of the patients come in for hygiene appointments rather j y p yg pp

than restorative which is good because these appointments utilizeFi 4 P t iti f di bl d t l d t

than restorative, which is good because these appointments utilize less disposablesFigure 4: Percent composition of disposable dental products. less disposables.The product that is disposed of the most is instrument covers.

Discussionp p

Overall the charts and IR spectrums prove that most of theDiscussion1 2 3

Overall, the charts and IR spectrums prove that most of the di bl d t th t i d t d t l ffi d1 2 3 disposable products that are required at a dental office are composed 1 2 3 of plastics, which are have negative impacts on the environment.Plastic Facts p , g p

Plastics have been accumulating in the global environment for decades and are now being found on a regularW k Cit d

Plastics have been accumulating in the global environment for decades, and are now being found on a regular b i ithi i i t (C C lb t K l t l 2011) Th ff t f l ti d b i th Works Citedbasis within marine environments (Carson, Colbert, Kaylor, et al. 2011). The effects of plastic debris on the ocean includes organisms becoming entangled, smothered, or ingesting these materials, along with high

Blacksmith Surgical [Internet]. 2011. Dental Instruments. [Accessed 2012 ocean includes organisms becoming entangled, smothered, or ingesting these materials, along with high concentrations of plastics being transported long distances and giving off harmful chemicals (Carson Colbert g [ ] [

May 29] Available from: http://www blacksmithsurgical com/dental-concentrations of plastics being transported long distances and giving off harmful chemicals (Carson, Colbert, K l t l 2011) May 29]. Available from: http://www.blacksmithsurgical.com/dental-

i t t4 5 6 Kaylor, et al. 2011).instruments. 4 5 6 Large plastic products usually break into smaller pieces and if these pieces remain on beaches, they canFeinberg E. [Internet]. A Short History of Modern Dentistry. [Accessed

4 5 6 Large plastic products usually break into smaller pieces and if these pieces remain on beaches, they can cause sediment contamination from leached plasticizers or commonly adsorbed organic pollutants and land Feinberg E. [Internet]. A Short History of Modern Dentistry. [Accessed

2012 May 26] Available from:Figure 1: Pictures of disposable dental products analyzed. Refer to table 1cause sediment contamination from leached plasticizers or commonly adsorbed organic pollutants and land

i d i ti th i (C C lb t K l t l 2011) 2012 May 26]. Available from: htt // d df i b d d /hi t f d ti t ht

Figure 1: Pictures of disposable dental products analyzed. Refer to table 1 for product names using corresponding item numbers organisms can end up ingesting these pieces (Carson, Colbert, Kaylor, et al. 2011).

http://www.edwardfeinbergdmd.com/history_of_dentistry.htm. for product names using corresponding item numbers.Of all recyclable materials, plastics are recycled at the lowest rate and it is extremely hard to increase the rate

Namibian Dental Association (NDA) [Internet]. 2012.The History ofTable 1: Detailed information about the disposable dental products that wereOf all recyclable materials, plastics are recycled at the lowest rate and it is extremely hard to increase the rate due to current wastes being very complex and difficult to separate (Adrados Marco Caballero et al 2011) Namibian Dental Association (NDA) [Internet]. 2012.The History of

Dentistry [Accessed 2012 May 28] Available from:Table 1: Detailed information about the disposable dental products that were analyzed during this study Note: item numbers correspond to pictures in

due to current wastes being very complex and difficult to separate (Adrados, Marco, Caballero, et al. 2011). M t l ti i l di l l (PP) l th l (PE) l t (PS) d l i l hl id (PVC) Dentistry. [Accessed 2012 May 28]. Available from:

htt // ibi d t /Hi t /Hi t D ti t ht lanalyzed during this study. Note: item numbers correspond to pictures in Figure 1 Most plastics including polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

http://www.namibiadent.com/History/HistoryDentistry.html. Figure 1. g y y ( ) y y ( ) y y ( ) y y ( )is placed in landfills or gets incinerated (Adrados, Marco, Caballero, et al. 2011).

Adrados A, de Marco I, Caballero BM, Lopez A, Laresgoiti MF, Torres A.Item # Name # Used Description is placed in landfills or gets incinerated (Adrados, Marco, Caballero, et al. 2011). Adrados A, de Marco I, Caballero BM, Lopez A, Laresgoiti MF, Torres A. 2012 Pyrolysis of plastic packaging waste: A comparison of plasticRest/Hyg

pP i l S l i f R d i Pl i W 2012. Pyrolysis of plastic packaging waste: A comparison of plastic

id l f t i l f iliti ith i l t d l ti tRest/Hyg

1 Bib 2/1 P t ill l thiPotential Solutions for Reducing Plastic Wastes

residuals from material recovery facilities with simulated plastic waste. 1 Bib 2/1 Prevents spills on clothingg

Materials that are rejected from recycling can go through a process known as pyrolysis which involves heating yWaste Manage 32(5):826-322 Suction 1/1 Sucks up water and excess saliva

Materials that are rejected from recycling can go through a process known as pyrolysis, which involves heating the materials to approximately 400 700°C without the presence of oxygen As a result liquid (oil) and gaseous Waste Manage 32(5):826 32.

Carson HS Colbert SL Kaylor MJ McDermid KJ 2011 Small plastic2 Suction 1/1 Sucks up water and excess saliva.

Prevents debris from going down patients the materials to approximately 400-700 C without the presence of oxygen. As a result, liquid (oil) and gaseous

Carson HS, Colbert SL, Kaylor MJ, McDermid KJ. 2011. Small plastic f

Prevents debris from going down patients products form and can be used as fuels to reduce the need of fossil fuels and sources of chemicals (Adrados, debris changes water movement and heat transfer through beach airway.

p (Marco Caballero et al 2011) g g

sediments Mar Pollut Bull 62(8):1708-13y

3 Trash Bag 1/1 Items used during procedure are placed in Marco, Caballero, et al. 2011). Reduce the amount of disposable plastic products utilized within the dental office by only using stainless steel sediments. Mar Pollut Bull 62(8):1708 13.3 Trash Bag 1/1 Items used during procedure are placed in Reduce the amount of disposable plastic products utilized within the dental office by only using stainless steel

this bag Acknowledgementsproducts that rather than getting disposed, get sterilized. However, it may be very challenging to persuade g4 Water Tip 2/1 Sprays water for rinsing Blows air to dry Acknowledgementsp g g p , g , y y g g p

dental offices to do this since the cost of sterilizing all of these instruments can be high When referring to cost4 Water Tip 2/1 Sprays water for rinsing. Blows air to dry f th th I ld lik t i i l th k t J Di l P lili f b i

dental offices to do this since the cost of sterilizing all of these instruments can be high. When referring to cost, plastic disposable dental products are highly cost effectivean area of the mouth. I would like to give a special thanks to Joyce Dinglasan-Panlilio for being plastic disposable dental products are highly cost effective.

5 Instrument 6/4 Placed over the handles of all instruments my adviser and helping me every step of the way. I would also like toDental offices can provide individual boxes for each patient that contains a full set of all the plastic disposable 5 Instrument Co er

6/4 Placed over the handles of all instruments to keep them clean

my adviser and helping me every step of the way. I would also like to thank Dr Hannula and all of his staff for allowing me to observe the

p p p pproducts that are needed during an appointment These boxes would be stored at the dental office and theCover to keep them clean thank Dr. Hannula and all of his staff for allowing me to observe the

ti L tl I ld lik t th k Ch i ti Ki li ( t l b t h i i )products that are needed during an appointment. These boxes would be stored at the dental office and the prod cts co ld be ashed and re sed m ltiple times before the ha e to be disposed This o ld drasticall practice. Lastly, I would like to thank Christian Kinlin (uwt lab technician) products could be washed and re-used multiple times before they have to be disposed. This would drastically

6 Mask 2/2 Worn by dentists to prevent the spread of y ( )

for helping me perform Infrared analysis on all products involvedreduce the disposal rate of the plastic products but the only downside is that a large space would be needed to 6 Mask 2/2 Worn by dentists to prevent the spread of i b ill

for helping me perform Infrared analysis on all products involved.p p p y g pstore all of the boxesairborne illnesses store all of the boxes.