A journey to sustainability that started with a summer holiday read has led to Crossbank Dental Care in Kendal being awarded Green Small Business certification, an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) benchmark in sustainable and environmental excellence.
Dentistry, historically not a leading environmentally conscious field, is fast transitioning to a new climate economy with green pioneers like Crossbank Dental Care increasingly asked to share their experiences and best practice across the sector, putting industry focus on this corner of the North West.
On holiday in 2005, Crossbank Dental Care Director and Principal Implant Dental Surgeon Neil Cooper read “Let My People Go Surfing” by Patagonia sustainable outdoor clothing founder Yvon Chouinard, inspiring him to take a closer look at his own practice long before most others.
Since then, key environmental initiatives undertaken at the clinic include sustainable bulk purchasing, switching to non-damaging materials, reusable items, recyclable packing, and reducing waste, packaging, contamination, transportation and emissions. A programme of continual upgrading at the premises has seen significant reduction in their carbon footprint, through installing solar panels and an electric car-charging point.
Technology has been a key factor, with high-tech intra-oral scanners cutting the use of disposables, while generating excellent clinical results. Even their central Kendal location supports staff and patients with Green Travel: arriving by public transport, on foot or bike.
The practice is using their close links with local schools to encourage green practices like choosing recyclable toothbrushes and turning off the tap while brushing, and promoting preventative care to avoid more intensive, high-carbon dental treatments. A new initiative involves collecting dental waste products from a nearby boarding school for specialist recycling.
Co-director and Practice Manager, Bex Cooper, says putting in place an environmental policy and setting clear objectives and targets is key, whatever the business, but we can all make a positive impact from small actions:
“We realise a healthy environment is vital not just for our business, but for the wellbeing of our staff, patients, community and, ultimately, our planet. Green Small Business certification would not have been possible without the commitment of the entire Crossbank Dental Care team.
“We’ve set ourselves a high bar for environmental stewardship in the dental industry, even producing customised dental products on site, to save on travel emissions. We invite our patients, suppliers, and community members to join us in making eco-friendly choices for a healthier, more sustainable future.”
www.crossbankdental.co.uk