The Benchmark: Eco-friendly products

The Eco-Dentistry Association’s Top Choices

THE SET-UP

The EDA publishes an entire product guide intended to make finding “green” products easier.

THE CRITERIA

The EDA measures “green” in four main ways:
Reduces waste and pollution
Saves energy or water
High-tech
Wellness based

THE RESULTS

There are numerous products that meet the criteria, but here are three that stand out for the EDA:

Dry vacuum systems
Installing one of these (such as the PowerVac from Midmark) in your practice can save as much as 360 gallons of water per day.

Hg5 Amalgam Separator, SolmeteX
solmetex.com

This equipment not only helps prevent mercury from contaminating local water sources, it contracts with an EPA-certified mercury disposal facility and provides your practice with a recycling certificate-so you know waste has been handled properly.

Demolizer II,
BioMedical Technology Solutions Inc.
bmtscorp.com

Handles biomedical waste (sharps). Using dry heat to melt the plastic from the sharps, its patent-pending, spinning safety lid melts and encapsulates the sharps waste. The heat renders the entire contents sterile and non-biohazardous.

THE DENTAL ADVISOR’s Top Choices

THE SET-UP

THE DENTAL ADVISOR is continually evaluating the trend toward environmentally friendly products and has published an issue on Green Dentistry. Many offices that are choosing eco-friendly options find product selection is as important as reviewing office protocols for more efficient and less wasteful ways of managing daily operations.

THE CRITERIA

We have identified the following ideal characteristics of an environmentally friendly product:

Reduces waste
Low toxicity
Recyclable
Maximizes energy efficiency
Reduces water use

THE RESULTS

The following products have been evaluated by
THE DENTAL ADVISOR and are excellent choices for those working toward reducing their carbon footprint.

SaniTreet Green, Enzyme Industries
enzymeindustries.com

SaniTreet Green is a 3-in-one product for presoaking instruments, cleaning evacuation lines and an ultrasonic solution. It is non-toxic, non-caustic and biodegradable.

OPTIM 33 TB, SciCan
scican.com

OPTIM 33 TB is a disinfectant that uses accelerated hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and clean. It is available in spray and wipes, and because of the chemical makeup, it breaks down into water and oxygen, making it environmentally friendly.

Digital Radiography

As a category, digital radiography eliminates the need for harsh chemicals, the use of lead lined film packets, and increases productivity. There are many other enhancements to the use of computers in the operatory and many energy saving options that are available. THE DENTAL ADVISOR has reviewed DEXIS’ Digital X-Ray System and awarded it our Editors’ Choice distinction.