Stewards of Good Health and a Healthy Planet.TM
Separate It!
If your office removes amalgam fillings, you need an amalgam separator!
Amalgam filling material includes equal parts of elemental mercury and an alloy powder mostly composed of silver, tin and copper.
Mercury in our drinking, irrigation, and fishing waters is a serious environmental and human-health concern. A potent neuro-toxin, mercury poisoning is devastating to animal species, and is a tragic and debilitating experience for people and families suffering its effects. Only 11 states and 19 localities require dental offices to have amalgam separators, with varying levels of enforecment success. In general, the dental industry is self-regulating regarding amalgam waste, and our communities are relying on individual dental offices to protect the water stream from mercury-containing dental waste.
Many of today's modern dental practices choose state-of-the-art tooth-colored restoration materials. But even if your office does not place amalgam fillings, you still need an amalgam separator. In a survey taken at the 2009 American Dental Association Convention, only 39 of 100 dental offices surveyed had amalgam separators. The popular answer for not installing a separator was that the office did not place amalgam fillings, not recognizing that the removal of amalgam fillings directs significant mercury-containing waste into the water stream. In a typical one-dentist office that only removes amalgam fillings, the amalgam separator captured 2 pounds of mercury-containing waste material in one year.
Amalgam separators are a readily available, relatively inexpensive, and low-maintenance piece of equipment in the dental practice. Some brands can be installed with very simple plumbing skills, others are easily put in and maintained by your dental supply company.
Find an amalgam separtor supplier in the Pollution Prevention section of the GreenDOC Product Guide.
Check with your separator company to find out the lifecycle of the collected waste. In some cases, it is recycled back into dental filling material or into non-medical use; other companies will "retort" the material, which is a process that involves securing the toxic waste material in a cement-like substance which is then diverted to landfill.
If you are a dental patient, make sure your dental office has an amalgam separator, even if they are only removing amalgam filling material.
Check out more questions to ask your dentist about their eco-friendly choices.
Fresh, Clean Water, What You Can Do Today.
The water crisis is a global environmental and public health issue, fueled by water pollution and water scarcity. In many areas of the world, human populations struggle to have enough water to provide the basic need for hydration and sanitation. It is not difficult for dental professionals to understand the connection between clean water and good health. Dental home care and the professional services necessary for basic good health require the regular and daily availability of clean, fresh water. Even if your community is not suffering a drought or water shortage, water is a global resource, and it's important for every industry, and every person, to do our part. For more about the water crisis go to www.water.org.
Green Dentistry Water Conservation & Pollution Prevention:
- Install an amalgam separator.
- Use waterless hand sanitizer.Properly dispose of toxic x-ray fixer and sterilziation solutions.
- Save 90 glasses of water a day by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth... and encourage your patients to do the same. Sign the "Save 90 A Day!" Campaign Pledge.
- Keep drugs out of the drinking water by participating in the Green Pharmacy Program.
- If your office regularly contributes to environmental and social organizations, consider contributing to a group that is making a difference in the water crisis, such as Blue Planet Run.
 For more pollution prevention and water conservation initiatives, go to the GreenDOC Checklist of Standards for Green Dental Offices.
To gain points toward EDA Certification for your water conservation efforts, register for the GreenDOC Certification program.
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" I spend virtually nothing on traditional marketing and 96% of my clients say they would definitely refer a family member or friend to my green practice. I see an average of 30-40 new clients every month and have saved thousands of dollars a year by operating an eco-friendly practice."
-Dr. Fred Pockrass, DDS
Keep Drugs Out of the Water Supply!
Learn more about environmentally safe medicine disposal:
Teleosis Institute Green Pharmacy Program.
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