At the Melbourne Smile Clinic, we strive to reduce our environmental impact. The following measures have been implemented that help reduce waste with the use of biodegradable products and digital technology, waste water filtration and recycling program of oral care products for our local community in Northcote and greater Darebin area.
Recycle Your Oral Care Products
The Melbourne Smile Clinic in collaboration with Terracycle is pleased to offer recycling collection of used toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads, empty toothpaste tubes and floss containers. You can drop these items for recycling on our premises in the specific recycling bin in the reception area. Please note that the cardboard packaging for toothbrushes is not accepted. These can be placed in your home recycling bin.
Your recycling will also contribute to fund research on oral health through the eviDent Foundation. Points are earned for waste collected and are transferred as cash donations.
Your recycling at the Melbourne Smile Clinic will help both the environment and scientific research in oral health.
Dentists for Cleaner Water
The Melbourne Smile Clinic is proud to be be part of the Dentists for Cleaner Water programme. Amalgam fillings removed from teeth contribute to mercury in the sewage system. Our practice has installed an amalgam separator to filter amalgam filling residues from waste water and prevent their release into the sewage system.
Environmental Toothbrush
The environmental toothbrush is made of bamboo and is fully biodegradable and sustainable. It is also BPA free. The soft bristled toothbrush is now available for sale at the Melbourne Smile Clinic.
Digital Radiography
The use of digital radiography not only reduces the dosage of x-ray radiation that the patient is exposed to when radiographs are taken, they also eliminate the use of x-ray films and a layer of lead that eventually ends up as waste. Additionally, the use of x-ray developer solutions is eliminated, hence also reducing the production of potentially toxic waste.
Biodegradable Materials
Adhering to proper infection control standards means that a lot of plastic barriers are used on various equipment. These are changed after each patient to prevent cross contamination for health and sanitary reasons.
As much as possible, we now use biodegradable plastic barriers to reduce our impact on the environment. Our supplier for these products is Bio-Protect.