Embedding environmental sustainability within the modern dental curriculum— Exploring current practice and developing a shared understanding

Abstract

Introduction Evidence concerning the interactions between human health and planetary health has grown extensively in recent years. In turn, the perceived importance of environmental sustainability within higher education is growing at a rapid rate. This paper provides a summary of key elements as they apply to dentistry, and provides an introduction to the reader of an early consensus of how sustainability could be included as part of the dental curriculum. Methods The consensus opinion within this paper largely centres around discussion at the ADEE sustainability workshop at the annual conference in Berlin (August 2019). In order to help inform discussions at the workshop, a brief scoping questionnaire was circulated to potential participants regarding their understanding and current teaching practices in sustainability. An infographic was designed to help delegates remember the important elements of sustainable dentistry. Delegates discussed the concept of sustainability alongside the infographic, and how they could link these with the Graduating European Dentist (GED) curriculum. Results The discussions within the workshop largely centred around 4 main themes: Disease prevention and health promotion, Patient education and empowerment, Lean service delivery and Preferential use of strategies with lower environmental impact. Discussion It is apparent that there is a widespread need for teaching materials relating to environmental sustainability; this includes specific learning outcomes relating to the 4 educational domains of the Graduating European Dentist curriculum, and methods for teaching and assessing these outcomes. Conclusion This paper reports consensus on the first phase of a pan‐European working group on Sustainability in dental education.

US students’ perceptions on environmental sustainability in dental school

“…ESD spans many fields including preventative dentistry, waste management, energy use, and transportation. 9,19 Considering the interdisciplinary nature of ESD, robust initiatives could include students, staff, faculty, and administrators. One relatively new model from Harvard University includes personnel representing environmental health, patient and staff safety, procurement, operations and facilities, and curriculum development in addition to students and faculty.…”

“…18 With regard to dentistry, the working group on Environmental Sustainability in Dentistry (ESD) in the Association for Dental Education in Europe noted a general lack of teaching materials for instructors related to environmental sustainability within the profession. 19 Indeed 20 Joury et al also emphasized that a lack of infection control regulations regarding sterilization of re-usable dental equipment was a barrier to implementing sustainable measures in dental school clinics. 21 Inclusion of curricular content on ESD is essential for preparing future dentists to function in environmentally sustainable ways.…”

“…In 2017, medical education experts developed 21 learning objectives on sustainability for medical students with an emphasis on content delivery in the preclinical years 18 . With regard to dentistry, the working group on Environmental Sustainability in Dentistry (ESD) in the Association for Dental Education in Europe noted a general lack of teaching materials for instructors related to environmental sustainability within the profession 19 …”

Saúde bucal defendendo uma saúde planetária

“…Afirmam que os docentes de Odontologia devem estar esclarecidos sobre práticas clínicas sustentáveis e que o currículo de formação dos cirurgiões-dentistas deve assinalar conteúdos relacionados à sustentabilidade ambiental. Além disso, reiteram que existem lacunas de materiais instrutivos sobre este assunto 23 .…”

Sustainable oral healthcare and the environment: mitigation strategies

“…This starts from undergraduate training by incorporating sustainability within the curriculae of dental trainees; a process that is currently underway that considers how sustainability can be included in the undergraduate dental curriculum. 26 Continued professional development (CPD) must include elements of sustainable practice and auditing and accreditation, such as the programme run by the Green Impact initiative, which should be encouraged within primary care. 27 Educating patients regarding sustainability would follow naturally from this and be accepted and well received by not just the environmentally conscious cohort.…”