Green dental office tour Monday, August 23, 2010

Here is how we at our office attempt to have the least impact on our environment: 1 We use digital x-rays including scans of the entire jaw and individual teeth of the mouth. This reduces radiation by about 75% and reduces the caustic chemicals needed to process x-ray film that usually gets dumped down our drains and into the treatment facilities. Since we use digital x-ray sensors, potentially harmful lead lined film packets are also eliminated. 2. We are paperless and chartless meaning that there are no charts in our office. Our patients fill out necessary forms online or in the office on a tablet computer which completely eliminates paper. Digital photographs are taken which helps not only with communication, but the use of photo processing chemicals are not needed. 3. All of the batteries used in the office are rechargeable eliminating the waste of batteries. If they are needed to be disposed of they are recycled. 4 We have eliminated the use of mercury containing silver dental amalgam with tooth colored composite fillings and havent used these types of mercury fillings for over 10 years. We are in the process of installing an amalgam separator that eliminates the mercury from entering the waste water system. It has just been mandated in the state of Michigan that dental offices need these devices. (In my mind it is ironic that many dentists place amalgam in the mouth but the FDA has stated that it is potentially harmful.) These are a few of the ongoing changes that ...



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