Table 2.
Questions assessing knowledge and implementation of eco-friendly dental office strategies (N = 150)
| Strategy | Implementation | Knowledge | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fully In Place, n (%) | In Progress, n (%) | TOTAL Implementation, n (%) | Aware not Implemented, n (%) | TOTAL Knowledge, n (%) | |
| Amalgam management | |||||
| 1. Use pre-capsulated alloys in different size | 88 (58.7) | 14 (9.3) | 102 (68) | 47 (31.3) | 149 (99.3) |
| 2. Dispose amalgam in means other than regular trash or down drain | 26 (17.3) | 29 (19.3) | 55 (36.6) | 91 (60.7) | 146 (97.3) |
| 3. Keep unused amalgam particles in well-sealed containers | 37 (24.7) | 17 (11.3) | 54 (36) | 90 (60) | 144 (96) |
| 4. Use amalgam separators | 27 (18) | 11 (7.3) | 38 (25.3) | 97 (64.7) | 135 (90) |
| 5. Use amalgam vacuum filters which directs the amalgam particles to amalgam waste water containers | 16 (10.7) | 20 (13.3) | 36 (24) | 95 (63.3) | 131 (87.3) |
| 6. Use alternatives to amalgam filling such as composite, ceramic, gold and porcelain | 114 (76) | 24 (16) | 138 (92) | 12 (8) | 150 (100) |
| Radiographic management | |||||
| 7. Mix and store chemicals according to manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid waste | 109 (72.7) | 18 (12) | 127 (84.7) | 19 (12.7) | 146 (97.4) |
| 8. Purchase chemicals (developer, fixer) in concentrated form. Prepare chemicals as needed to eliminate excess | 74 (49.3) | 20 (13.3) | 94 (62.6) | 52 (34.7) | 146 (97.3) |
| 9. Use waste management programme to dispose of lead foils | 20 (13.3) | 27 (18) | 47 (31.3) | 67 (44.7) | 114 (76) |
| 10. Use waste management program to dispose fixer | 15 (10) | 26 (17.3) | 41 (27) | 66 (44) | 107 (71.3) |
| 11. Use digital radiography | 85 (56.7) | 23 (15.3) | 108 (72) | 34 (22.7) | 142 (94.7) |
| 12. Reuse X-ray mounts for new patients when purging old files | 12 (8) | 16 (10.7) | 28 (18.7) | 93 (62) | 121 (80.7) |
| Paper waste management | |||||
| 13. Recycle dental office paper waste | 6 (4) | 6 (4) | 12 (8) | 117 (78) | 129 (86) |
| 14. Print on both sides of the paper when possible | 49 (32.7) | 12 (8) | 61 (40.7) | 81 (54) | 142 (94.7) |
| 15. Use computer-based records system | 100 (66.7) | 18 (12) | 118 (78.7) | 29 (19.3) | 147 (98) |
| 16. Use practice-management software | 60 (40) | 26 (17.3) | 86 (57.3) | 57 (38) | 143 (95.3) |
| 17. Implement patient electronic messaging services | 10 (6.7) | 17 (11.3) | 27 (18) | 106 (70.7) | 133 (88.7) |
| 18. Use educational videos to explain the recommendations of different dental procedure | 13 (8.7) | 17 (11.3) | 30 (20) | 109 (72.7) | 139 (92.7) |
| 19. Use reusable name badges | 10 (6.7) | 16 (10.7) | 26 (17.4) | 104 (69.3) | 130 (86.7) |
| 20. Use recycled paper products | 21 (14) | 7 (4.7) | 28 (18.7) | 107 (71.3) | 135 (90) |
| 21. Use scrap office/computer paper for scratch pads and internal notes | 75 (50) | 5 (3.3) | 80 (53.3) | 58 (38.7) | 138 (92) |
| 22. Donate old magazines to community centres, public health and other service centres | 49 (32.7) | 19 (12.7) | 68 (45.4) | 73 (48.7) | 141 (94.1) |
| 23. Donate old dental books to libraries, schools or fundraising efforts | 43 (28.7) | 20 (13.3) | 63 (42) | 77 (51.3) | 140 (93.3) |
| Infection control management | |||||
| 24. Purchase supplies in bulk packaging | 120 (80) | 16 (10.7) | 136 (90.7) | 8 (5.3) | 144 (96) |
| 25. Use reusable glass/metal cups instead of paper, plastic or Styrofoam | 7 (4.7) | 13 (8.7) | 20 (13.4) | 109 (72.7) | 129 (86.1) |
| 26. Use reusable metal air/water syringes instead of plastic | 31 (20.7) | 10 (6.7) | 41 (27.4) | 98 (65.3) | 139 (92.7) |
| 27. Use steam sterilisation with cloth instrument wraps vs. paper and plastic autoclave bags | 19 (12.7) | 17 (11.3) | 36 (24) | 96 (64) | 132 (88) |
| 28. Use metal suction tips instead of disposable plastic suction tips | 13 (8.7) | 10 (6.7) | 23 (15.4) | 107 (71.3) | 130 (86.7) |
| 29. Use enzyme-based cleaners that are biodegradable | 42 (28) | 18 (12) | 60 (40) | 81 (54) | 141 (94) |
| 30. Use nontoxic, noncorrosive disinfectant wipes instead of pump spray bottles | 56 (37.3) | 16 (10.7) | 72 (48) | 71 (47.3) | 143 (95.3) |
| 31. Use cloth lab coats that can be laundered rather than disposable ones | 44 (29.3) | 11 (7.3) | 55 (36.6) | 86 (57.3) | 141 (93.9) |
| 32. Use sterilisable instruments, trays and film holding devices, rather than disposable products | 60 (40) | 21 (14) | 81 (54) | 63 (42) | 144 (96) |
| 33. Reuse instrument sterilisation bags. Secure with autoclave tape | 18 (12) | 15 (10) | 33 (22) | 109 (72.7) | 142 (94.7) |
| Energy management | |||||
| 34. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs | 138 (92) | 3 (2) | 141 (94) | 8 (5.3) | 149 (99.3) |
| 35. Dispose the burned bulbs into hazardous waste or recycle it | 27 (18) | 12 (8) | 39 (26) | 101 (67.3) | 140 (93.3) |
| 36. Use renewable energy such as wind or solar power | 8 (5.3) | 4 (2.7) | 12 (8) | 109 (72.7) | 121 (80.7) |
| 37. Use automated thermostats to control heating/cooling systems | 39 (26) | 5 (3.3) | 44 (29.3) | 77 (51.3) | 121 (80.6) |
| 38. Turn off and unplug all the electrical appliances at the end of the day, including computers, printers and copiers | 106 (70.7) | 7 (4.7) | 113 (75.4) | 34 (22.7) | 147 (98.1) |
| 39. Use motion detectors for room lighting | 4 (2.7) | 9 (6) | 13 (8.7) | 94 (62.7) | 107 (71.4) |
| Water conservation | |||||
| 40. Use water faucet sensors | 38 (25.3) | 14 (9.3) | 52 (34.6) | 77 (51.3) | 129 (85.9) |
| 41. Use hand dryers | 75 (50) | 17 (11.3) | 92 (61.3) | 53 (35.3) | 145 (96.6) |
| 42. Use hand sanitiser | 131 (87.3) | 6 (4) | 137 (91.3) | 11 (7.3) | 148 (98.6) |
| 43. Instruct the patients to turn off water faucet during tooth brushing at home | 42 (28) | 11 (7.3) | 53 (35.3) | 92 (61.3) | 145 (96.6) |
| 44. Use dual-flush toilet | 74 (49.3) | 12 (8) | 86 (57.3) | 47 (31.3) | 133 (88.6) |
| 45. Put bricks or other bulky materials inside toilet cisterns | 47 (31.3) | 15 (10) | 62 (41.3) | 64 (42.7) | 126 (84) |
Bold type indicates high knowledge/implementation.