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A carbon calculator: the development of a user-friendly greenhouse gas measuring tool for general dental practice (Part 2)

British Dental Journal volume 236, pages 57–61 (2024)Cite this article

Abstract

The need to reduce carbon emissions and limit global warming to 1.5 °C has spurred various sectors towards net-zero emission goals. This paper introduces a specialised carbon calculator for dental practices to compute and monitor their carbon footprints (CFPs). The carbon calculator is developed using recent carbon modelling, utilising methodologies and data from estimating the average NHS dental practice's CFP. It employs both spend-based and activity-based carbon accounting methods, simplifying carbon emission estimation. It offers dental practices a user-friendly, rudimentary, cost-free tool to determine their baseline CFP and track sustainability progress. It includes conversion factors for patient travel, procurement and waste management, enabling practices to input data and generate personalised CFP charts. It also acknowledges assumptions and uncertainties related to procurement and waste management, emphasising the availability of personalised consultancy services for more precise carbon footprinting. This carbon calculator supports environmental sustainability in dental practices as an accessible starting point. By raising awareness of their CFP, it encourages progress in ‘green dentistry' and promotes environmental responsibility in oral healthcare. The calculator is freely downloadable and part of a broader ‘green dentistry' initiative. Continuous carbon emission measurement and monitoring are crucial for a sustainable future, with this tool aiding dental practitioners in their environmental contributions.

Key points

  • The paper introduces a simplified carbon calculator designed for dental practices which allows practices to estimate their carbon footprints using conversion factors.

  • The calculator aims to serve as an accessible tool for practices to measure and monitor their carbon emissions, supporting their contribution to environmental sustainability.

  • The paper acknowledges uncertainties in the procurement and waste management aspects of carbon accounting and suggests avenues for more detailed and accurate carbon footprinting.

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Acknowledgements

The authors express their heartfelt condolences upon learning of the passing of Louis Mackenzie, co-author of this paper, in December. Our thoughts and sympathies are extended to his family during this difficult time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland

    Brett Duane

  2. Centre for Sustainable Healthcare, 291 Cranbrook House, 287 Banbury Rd, Summertown, Oxford, OX2 7JQ, UK

    Ingeborg Steinbach

  3. Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, Hambleden House, Waterloo Court, Andover, SP10 1LQ, UK

    Louis Mackenzie

Authors
  1. Brett Duane
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  2. Ingeborg Steinbach
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  3. Louis Mackenzie
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Contributions

Brett Duane wrote the majority of the paper and produced the tables/boxes. Ingeborg Steinbach sourced the data references and checked assumptions and reviewed the paper. Louis Mackenzie wrote the introduction, sense-checked the manuscript and edited/wrote the discussion.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brett Duane.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Duane, B., Steinbach, I. & Mackenzie, L. A carbon calculator: the development of a user-friendly greenhouse gas measuring tool for general dental practice (Part 2). Br Dent J 236, 57–61 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-023-6626-7

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