Janna, who volunteers as a Creekkeeper for the
local community group, Riverlink,
takes a water sample from Hominy Creek near the dental
office. Samples from this and other sites are gathered
for the Volunteer Water Information Network and tested
at UNC-Asheville’s Environmental Quality Institute. |
Healthy Smiles, Healthy Planet
It's all Connected!
Like all businesses and industries, the profession of dentistry
has many opportunities to help protect the natural environment
of the communities where we live and work. Here are some the
efforts of our office and staff:
Certified carbon neutral
 In 2007 we became the first certified carbon neutral dental office in Western North Carolina. To achieve this, we have incorporated energy efficiency measures in all phases of our office operation. And then, working through the non-profit group Appalachian Offsets, we have donated funds that will help others to increase their own energy efficiency. We invite you to join us! Together we can keep our air cleaner, use our resources more wisely, and combat the hazards of global warming.
Currently in winter of 2008, there is an additional effort underway called the Carbon Neutral Business Ad Campaign. This is a loosely knit group, with leadership provided by Bend of Ivy Lodge and Appalachian Offsets, working to increase public awareness about the importance of carbon neutrality, and supporting environmentally responsible businesses. In the short term, ads donated at cost by local media will increase the visibility and public awareness of local carbon neutral businesses. In the long term, we hope to mobilize market forces to encourage other businesses to become carbon neutral.
Protection from mercury
We do not use dental amalgam fillings, which consist of about
50% mercury. However, like all restorative dental offices,
we do remove old dental fillings. For this reason our office
is designed with the most advanced technology to remove even
the most minute particles of mercury from our wastewater,
preventing this toxic waste from entering the public sewer
system or our waterways. For more information on steps that
dental offices can take to protect the environment, see the American
Dental Association guidelines.
Digital XRs are cleaner
All of our X-rays are fully digital. Not only does this technology
greatly reduce exposure to patients, it also eliminates the
use of x-ray chemicals necessary to develop x-ray film. Therefore,
we release none of these potentially harmful chemicals into
groundwater, streams or public wastewater.
Saving water
In addition to using a dental vacuum requiring 50% of the electricity of traditional units, our waterless vaccum system can reduce the overall water use in a dental office by 90%.
An organic touch
Our organic gardens, full of wild birds, perennial flowers,
and edible landscaping, create a beautiful and nurturing setting
for patients receiving dental treatment. Our landscape has
been recognized with the Environmental Excellence Award of
the community group Quality Forward, which promotes a greener
Buncombe County.
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