For the first of our new series of From The Practice we hear from a practice in Cumbria about how they are approaching sustainability and environmental conscience. Using this to positively promote their offering, and addressing the environmental concerns of modern dentistry.
About the Author: Bex Cooper is a Director at Crossbank Dental Care, an implant referral practice, in Kendal where they have made a commitment to Environmental Stewardship.
Practising Sustainable Dentistry: Crossbank Dental Care’s Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
How much do you consider your surgery’s environmental impact on a daily basis?
We at Crossbank Dental Care share best practice garnered from a longstanding commitment to sustainable environmental responsibility.
Finding Your Inspiration, Taking Your First Step
On holiday in 2005, Crossbank Dental Care's Director and Principal Neil Cooper read “Let My People Go Surfing” by Yvon Chouinard. So inspired was he by this story of one of the world’s most respected environmentally responsible businesses, Neil decided to take a closer look at his own.
Intentionally located in Kendal town centre for easy access by foot and public transport, Neil began by involving the whole team. “Embedding environmental ethos in the heart of you practice requires everyone’s understanding, buy-in and commitment,” says Neil, “And great ideas can come from every corner of your clinic.”
Our first initiatives were simple: switching to low energy lightbulbs (in the days when the only LEDs available were 1W!), sustainable bamboo toilet roll, chlorine-free inks, using and reusing recycled and paper wherever possible.
Cutting Clinical Waste and Carbon Footprint
We are currently undergoing a comprehensive environmental management audit with Green Small Business. To further demonstrate our commitment to sustainable practices, we contracted an external local consultancy, NuGreen, to conduct meticulous deep dives into material and energy intensive clinical pathways and sterile services. “We are targeting our processes to identify further opportunities for the practice to reduce waste, energy, and emissions" says Neil.
Investment in Green Technologies
Installing solar panels in 2023 to harness renewable energy (even in the North West!) has already lowered our carbon footprint, reliance on fossil fuels and energy bills, a welcome enhancement to the practice’s bottom line in the current economic climate.
Upgrading to intra-oral scanners significantly reduced (95% reduction!) the practice’s use of single use materials required for impressions, minimising waste, packaging and transport costs and emissions. This cutting-edge technology also enhances diagnostic capabilities with patients' understanding generating excellent clinical results and patient feedback.
First Steps or Next Steps?
Whatever stage you are at, every step counts. It’s about constantly evaluating and improving your green journey, not thinking you’ve reached your destination. We’re now using 3D digital printing to create onsite protective sports guards and whitening trays; which improve patient experience (with no more moulds & impression materials) and help reduce transport costs, emissions, and overstock.
Corporate Social Responsibility and our impact on the environment reaches into every aspect of the business from our bags (made from biodegradable plastic) to our referral packs which are made from non-laminated, non-glued art board for easy recycling.
As dentists, we are fortunate to sit at the heart of our community, so embrace it, make connections, and get involved. Our passion project is, “Implant a Tree” partnering with Cumbria Wildlife Trust to plant a tree for every implant the practice places. Thanks to the trust and support of our referrers, we've placed over 140 implants this year alone - that's a budding woodland in the making!
Make your green commitments and ambitions visible to your patients and you’ll find them ready to help and inspire you on your journey, too!
Bex Cooper,
BAHons PgDipLaw LLM
Director/Company Secretary
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