Sustainable Dental Practices For Earth Day
MIAMI, BOCA RATON and TAMARAC, Fla, April 19, 2007 – Dental procedures generate a fair amount of hazardous wastes. Yet, because few states have regulations regarding proper disposal, safe procedures are infrequently implemented.
South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry has longpracticed safe disposal, as well as other sustainable dental methods.
“Our experience has proven it’s possible to combine both quality care and sustainable practices,” said Dr. Charles Nottingham, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. “We’ve found the established Best Management Practices for dental offices are both practical and easily implemented.”
Earth Day 2007 provides an opportunity to review these sustainable practices.
MERCURY
South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry uses composite, mercury-free fillings. When flushed down the drain, this toxic amalgam contaminates bodies of water and/or sludge from wastewater plants that are unable to extract mercury. Concerns also have been raised about health issues related to mercury fillings.
South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry instead offers a variety of porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers. Not only are they safer, porcelain better matches a patient’s surrounding teeth for a more aesthetic appearance.
DIGITAL X-RAY DIAGNOSIS
Digital diagnoses methods greatly reduce a patient’s exposure to radiation while offering several environmental benefits. Because the images are displayed on a computer screen, no film, paper or toxic metals are required to produce the images.
South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry uses the innovative TRIX ImageRayi system, a standard in the sensor industry for safety, speed and cleanliness. Its unique CsI (Cesium Iodine) process reduces a patient’s exposure to radiation up to 50 percent.
We also use the DENTRIX ImageCAM for paper and film-less images.
LOW-IMPACT OFFICE
Earth Day organizers originally focused on the big picture: Auto emissions, corporate polluters, and the like. As the years passed, sustainable practices grew to encompass almost every aspect of our lives.
South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry incorporates enviro-intelligence throughout our practice. We minimize energy use, reduce and recycle all wastes; and, of course, reduce, re-use and recycle our paper flow.
Best Management Practices have permeated nearly all facets of American life since the first Earth Day in 1970. South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry is proud to be at the forefront of implementing sustainable dental systems.
LEARN MORE
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