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FDI World Dental Congress 2023
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Sustainability in oral healthcare

Fdi Session (On Demand)

FDI Session (On-demand)

8:30 am

25 September 2023

C2.2 - 2.3

Session Description

Sustainability in oral healthcare
In this session prominent experts will introduce the environmental impact of dentistry as well as approaches to address it. The strategic action framework that laid the foundation for the recently published FDI Consensus on 'Environmentally Sustainable Oral Healthcare: A Joint Stakeholder Statement' will be presented, with actions proposed for multi-stakeholder engagement at all levels of the supply chain, including the provision of oral health care and recycling capabilities. This action framework highlights the ability of the dental profession to have a significant impact on the environment by striving to deliver optimal oral health through disease prevention, delivery of good quality care and patient engagement as co-creators of their own care, with sustainability as an additional benefit.
This session will review the mitigated impact on the environment from all aspects of oral healthcare with appropriate and efficient use of resources, considering the relevance across diverse regional socio-economic health settings and highlighting the need to increase awareness and engagement with environmentally sustainable practices via integration in the undergraduate curricula.

Learning Objectives
  •  Be aware of the impact of oral healthcare and related activities on the environment.
  •  Identify opportunities and practical solutions for sustainable oral healthcare. 
  •  Understand challenges and opportunities for sustainable care across the different global settings.
  •  Understand the relevance of prevention of disease and the delivery of good quality oral healthcare to sustainability.
  •  Need to incorporate the concepts and best practices of sustainability in oral healthcare into the dental curricula.
 
Prof. Nicolas Martin
Attendees will learn about the importance of sustainability in the oral health profession and how to effectively integrate sustainable practices into dental education. Professor Martin will discuss successful curriculum integration initiatives and provide insights into how to develop and implement sustainability-focused curricula. This session is suitable for dental educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers interested in promoting sustainability in the dental industry through education. By the end of the session, attendees will have gained an understanding of how to integrate sustainability principles into dental education to prepare the next generation of dental professionals for sustainable practice.

Learning Objectives
  •  Understand the need to integrate sustainability into the dental curriculum
  •  Identify opportunities to integrate sustainability into the dental curriculum
  •  Emphasize the importance of oral disease prevention vs. high impact cosmetic procedures in the dental curriculum.
 
Dr Steven Mulligan
This scientific session will showcase the FDI Sustainability Toolkit which is aimed at helping dental practices implement sustainable practices. Attendees will learn about the importance of sustainable oral healthcare and how to integrate this concept into day-to-day clinical activity. The toolkit, developed in collaboration with dental professionals, provides practical guidance and resources to help clinicians and practices reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainability. Dr Mulligan will demonstrate the toolkit's features and provide insight into how to effectively use the resources to achieve sustainability goals.

Learning Objectives
  •  Understand the importance of improving sustainability within oral healthcare and the positive impacts that we as healthcare providers can have.
  •  Understand the practical steps that can improve sustainability in oral healthcare at a dental practice level.
  •  Learn about the opportunities for recognition for doing this (FDI Sustainability Award).
 
Asst. Prof. Donna Hackley
This scientific session will explore strategies for encouraging patient participation in promoting sustainability in dentistry. Attendees will learn about the importance of patient engagement in sustainable dental practices and how to effectively communicate with patients about the benefits of sustainability. Professor Hackley will discuss successful patient engagement initiatives and provide insights into how to integrate sustainability messaging into dental practices.

Learning Objectives
  •  Understand the impact of oral hygiene aids on the environment and consider the balance required to achieve and maintain oral health
  •  Identify the strategies that can be implemented in dental practice to encourage sustainability with dental patients
  • Identify the strategies that can be implemented in dental practice to encourage sustainability with dental patients
  •  Explore various means of communicating sustainability in dentistry to dental patients
 
 A/Prof. Hasan Jamal
This scientific session will focus on the critical importance of sustainability in dentistry. Attendees will learn about the environmental impact of the healthcare sector as a whole and that of the oral healthcare sector in particular. Dr Jamal will discuss the global efforts in tackling sustainability in oral healthcare, concentrating on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with those aligning with sustainability in oral healthcare. Furthermore, attendees will learn about the World Dental Federation’s efforts to tackle sustainability in dentistry.

Learning Objectives
  •  Understand the impact of the healthcare sector on the environment.
  •  Understand the impact of the dental profession on the environment.
  •  Understand the SDGs and their relevance to dental practice.

Speakers

Resources