According to the international nonprofit organisation Health Care Without Harm, healthcare systems globally account for 4.4% of greenhouse gas emissions, with dentistry contributing 2-5%.
“This is mainly due to patient travel for treatments, staff commuting, procurement, energy use, waste production and management,” explains Dr Tamás Demeter, lecturer and co-leader of the Sustainable Dentistry Working Group, established in 2021 at Semmelweis University.
Dr Demeter highlights that global healthcare generates 5.9 million tons of waste annually, with Hungary responsible for 80,000 tons. Approximately 15% of this waste is hazardous, requiring specialised disposal methods that are costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally harmful.
The working group conducted a waste audit at the Dental Teaching Centre of the Faculty of Dentistry, where around 400 staff members work across seven departments and treat an average of 642 patients daily. Over three days, they collected 168 waste bags, averaging nearly 60 kilograms of hazardous materials every day.
The audit revealed that personal protective equipment made up the largest share of waste (47%), with gloves (65%) and patient bibs (17%) being the most significant contributors. Paper and wet wipes (22%), specialised dental waste (12%) and single-use plastic items (10%) were the next largest areas.
The working group aims to analyse the audit data to reduce hazardous waste and promote more mindful use of dental supplies.
Our calculations suggest that introducing reusable patient bibs and trays could reduce daily waste by over 7 kilograms. More efficient use of sterilisation packaging could further lower waste by 2.3 kilograms per day. Glove usage also requires special attention, particularly among dental students, where consumption was found to be exceptionally high,
explains Dr Krisztina Márton, professor and head of the Department of Preclinical Dentistry at Semmelweis University and co-leader of the working group.
Semmelweis University’s Faculty of Dentistry currently evaluates how and when to integrate the findings into daily practices.
The Hungarian experts stress that prevention is also key to sustainable dentistry. Proper oral hygiene significantly reduces the risk of oral diseases such as tooth decay, periodontal disease, and oral cancer, minimising the need for dental treatments – and eco-conscious choices can begin at home.
“Previous research shows that the environmental footprint of electric toothbrushes far exceeds that of manual ones. Within the manual category, bamboo or plastic toothbrushes with replaceable heads have the least environmental impact,” advises Dr Demeter.
As for supplementary oral care tools, water flossers are less recommended as they are electronic devices that, if misused, can push plaque deeper under the gum line instead of removing it. Interdental brushes or dental floss are better alternatives. For floss, compostable options are preferable to traditional nylon varieties, provided they do not fray.
Dr Demeter recommends herbal-based toothpastes derived from organic farming if they meet specific criteria, such as fluoride content to strengthen enamel.
“Conventional toothpastes often contain preservatives, texture enhancers, and petrochemical byproducts like microplastics. While these are not harmful in small amounts, they can irritate the oral mucosa if used improperly, and harm ecosystems if they enter natural water sources. Opting for environmentally friendly alternatives is advisable,” he adds.
Dr Demeter emphasises the paramount importance of the quality of the toothbrush and proper brushing technique: regular cleaning of the gum line and the surfaces between the teeth is essential for preventing dental and oral diseases.
Photo: Bálint Barta, Boglárka Zellei – Semmelweis University; Cover photo: Tamás Demeter – Semmelweis University
