Sustainability might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about oral health, it can be easy – even understandable – for it to not make your priority list; but it should. As the popular saying goes, ‘there is no planet b’, and we should all be working for the health of the Earth. It’s also important not to underestimate how much sustainability means to people – and this is only set to increase – making sustainable changes could be the difference between retaining patients and losing them to more environmentally friendly competitors.

From the products we use to the energy we consume; every practice has the power to make a difference

At Henry Schein, our Practice Green initiative is designed to support dental teams in making environmentally responsible choices, without compromising on care or quality. In honour of Earth Day, we’ve curated five steps to a real sustainable change.

Whether you're just starting your green journey or looking to go even further, there’s something here for every practice.

2. Power Down, Turn Off, Unplug

Your equipment works hard. But it doesn’t need to run 24/7.

Turning off computers, lights, and non-essential equipment at the end of the day (or even, when appropriate, between patients) can drastically reduce your energy consumption. The carbon savings may seem invisible, but over time, they add up – not just for the planet, but for your bills too!

By getting you and your staff into the habit, you can make this simple change a reality starting right now.

3. Create a Green Corner in Your Practice

Sustainability thrives when it’s visible. So, make it visible.

Set up a small area, whether it’s a noticeboard, a display shelf, or a digital screen, that highlights your practice’s sustainability efforts. Use it to:

• Promote eco-friendly oral care products
• Share simple tips patients can follow at home
• Celebrate milestones (e.g. "100 plastic cups saved this month!")

This not only encourages patient engagement, it turns your practice into a community leader, which can be vital to patient retention.

4. Audit and Optimise Your Waste

Waste is a huge part of sustainability. Though less glamourous than planting trees or switching to low-energy solutions, what we do with our waste has a huge knock-on effect on the health of our planet. 

Start with a waste audit: What are you throwing away? What could be reduced, reused, or recycled instead?

Consider:

• Ensuring everything that can be recycled is being recycled.
• Switching to digital admin and patient forms to cut down on paper use.

Our business partner, Initial Medical, specialises in sustainable disposal of medical waste, and can help your practice to set up seamless sustainable disposal for your hazardous and non-hazardous waste.

5. Involve Your Whole Team in a Sustainability Action Plan

A sustainable practice is a team effort. To make change itself sustainable, you need every member of your team to be working towards the same goal. Build a simple action plan together, identify what changes you want to make this year, assign responsibilities, and set check-ins to track progress.

Consider appointing a ‘Green Champion’ on your team to keep the momentum going. Celebrate wins, learn from the challenges, and keep evolving.

Take a look at our Practice Green initiative and get tool, tips, and advice to help you achieve tangible green goals.