A Room-by-Room

Guide for Creating a

By Dr. Jason and Rebecca McMillan

 As Americans become increasingly
concerned about the environment,
the demand for sustainable products and services has grown exponentially.
From organic produce to hybrid automobiles and green contractors—
consumers are demonstrating their commitment to lightening their
ecological footprint with their checkbooks.

This trend is beginning to Whether you are renovating, planning
ground-up construction or simply
surface in the dental office
considering ways to be greener in
as well. Many patients are your day to day operations, there are
seeking to align themselves many approaches for creating an office
with practitioners who that is more efficient and healthier for
you, your staff, your patients and your
show a commitment to
community. Take a stroll with us through
improving both their the rooms that populate a typical dental
patients’ health and the practice and learn both the big and
n Set your computers to enter system
standby or hibernate after 30 to 60
minutes of inactivity and set monitors
to enter sleep mode after five to 20
minutes of inactivity.
Utilize recycled or Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC) certified paper products
for your office business cards,
letterhead, envelopes, brochures, bags
and copy/fax paper.
Ask at your print shop about using
n

healthier soy-based inks for printing your

the small steps you can take to reduce
health of the environment. business identity materials instead of
your environmental impact and join the the standard petroleum-based ink.
Businesses that have growing number of practitioners who are n Designate and clearly label recycling
incorporated sustainable seeing green! containers in accessible areas for both
patients and staff to encourage resource
features cite numerous
Front Office
reuse and recycling.
benefits including: n Buy recycled/remanufactured toner
Save paper, space and time by investing and ink-jet cartridges for your office
n Recognition by their machines.
in practice management software to
patients and community handle billing, treatment plan tracking, Communicate with electronic files
as an environmental leader
n
and process insurance claims, patient rather than paper ones. Use e-mail to
information and consent forms, correspond with doctors and patients
n Strengthened bottom line appointment reminders, and optimize and to send digital X-rays.
through operating efficiencies scheduling.
n Have notepads and message pads
n Improved employee health Purchase Energy Star rated computers, made from the unused side of scratch
and morale monitors, copy/fax machines, printers paper, outdated forms or old letterhead.
and mailing machines for your office. Simply staple stacks together for staff
n Marketing edge over their Equipment with this designation saves use or have larger quantities padded by
competition you money by using less energy and a copy center.
will last longer because they run at a
n More opportunities to cooler temperature. Many states also
further increase productivity have incentive programs with rebates for
and reduce costs selecting these appliances.

Your Henry Schein Dental Sales Consultants can provide further information and assistance. For details, call 800-645-6594.
n Make a commitment to reduce your
junk mail by writing to or calling
senders directly and requesting removal
from their mailing list. You can also:
n Reduce pre-approved credit card
and insurance offers by calling
888-567-8688 (888-5-OPT-OUT)
or visit optoutprescreen.com.
Register for the “do not mail me list”
n
at the Direct Marketing Association’s
Mail Preference Service Site:
dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailing.
n Reduce the amount of paper used in
your office by utilizing your printer’s
duplex printing capabilities.
n Sending faxes electronically. If you are
not already sending faxes electronically,
try to eliminate fax cover sheets
whenever possible.
Operatories
Invest in digital radiography and save
space, eliminate the need for film
processing, and expose patients to
up to 90% less radiation than a
standard X-ray system.
Consider purchasing a CAD/CAM
milling machine. This technology
reduces material use in the office
and it reduces transportation and
fuel consumption by patients and
laboratories.
Utilize comprehensive practice
management software to save space
and increase efficiency by electronically
storing charting, progress notes,
treatment plans and X-rays.
Select cabinetry constructed with a
100% pre-consumer recycled wood
Supply Closet
Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners
that have limited environmental and
health impacts.
Stock natural oral care products
for patients.
Purchase recycled or corn-based
trash bags for waste products.
Order sealants, adhesives, and other
restorative materials in package sizes
that will result in all the contents
being used in a timely manner. This will
minimize waste from expired inventory
and save you money and product.
Consolidate your supply orders to
prevent unnecessary shipping and
packaging waste.

Restrooms
n Install low-flow faucets and toilets,
which provide the same functionality
as conventional fixtures, and save
substantial amounts of water.
n Purchase dual-flush toilets which
save water by providing two flush
options.
n Conserve water by using sensored
faucets which also stop the spread
of germs and bacteria, avoid water
overflow and prevent scalding injury.
n Reduce paper waste and improve
restroom upkeep with an energy
efficient hand dryer.
Stock recycled tissue and toilet paper
that are whitened without chlorine
bleach and free of dyes, inks, and
fragrances. Buying products made from
recycled paper helps reduce the need
for virgin wood pulp.
n Encourage your team to walk or bicycle to
work by providing a shower for staff use.
fiber particleboard, which has no
urea formaldehyde added during the Laboratory/
Sterilization
manufacturing process. This reduces
‘off-gassing’ of harmful chemicals and
improves air quality in your dental
practice.
Reduce the discharge of mercury-
Room
containing products, such as dental Switch to instrument sterilization
amalgam waste, into the environment via a steam autoclave or dry heat
by purchasing or upgrading your oven. If medically appropriate for your
amalgam separator. practice, switch your cold sterilant from
a solution containing glutaraldehyde to
n Revisit your local dental association something less toxic, such as one with
chapter’s best practice guidelines to hydrogen peroxide.
make sure your practice is meeting
or exceeding guidelines for managing Utilize cassettes for instrument
hazardous and mercury-containing processing. This is safer for staff
waste products. members and reduces the use of
sterilization bags.
n Minimize water use by installing
medical grade hand sanitizer dispensers
n Install a good ventilation system
in your operatories. This alternative to to address chemical and airborne
hand washing is more effective than particulates.
soap and water in killing bacteria and n Research laundering garments
viruses, helps prevent dry skin, and in-house to reduce fuel consumption
saves your office time and resources. and overhead costs.
Find an alternative to latex gloves.
Latex sensitivity is a growing problem
for both patients and staff. Be mindful
of latex in other products such as
rubber dams and prophy cups.
Purchase barriers manufactured with
recycled materials.

Your Henry Schein Dental Sales Consultants can provide further information and assistance. For details, call 800-645-6594.
Staff Lounge
n Provide an Energy Star rated refrigerator and microwave or
toaster oven to encourage employees to bring healthy food
from home.
n Purchase reusable dishes, silverware, cups, and glasses
for staff and patients and equip your lounge with an
Energy Star rated dishwasher to encourage employees
to wash and reuse dishes.
n Promote carpooling and provide special parking spaces for
those who carpool.
n Encourage alternative transportation with public transit maps
and discount passes.
n Install convenient, safe places for bike parking.
Outside Your Building
n Implement storm water management strategies to help reduce
the discharge of sediment, oil and chemicals into storm
drains, surface water and groundwater.
n Select a light color for your building and roofing material,
which will reflect light and reduce your energy use.
n Landscape with drought-resistant and native plants to
minimize irrigation needs.
n Look into the feasibility of using gray water, which is water
from sinks, showers, or clothes washers that is recycled for
irrigation, to water plants and land.
n Consider a rainwater collection system to provide an alternate
water source for garden irrigation while reducing run-off.
n Ask your landscape maintenance team to compost clippings

Mechanical Room n
to reduce waste.
Limit the amount of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used
Select an oil free compressor. Oil lubricated compressors for landscaping.
can add oil to the compressed air stream and compromise
the quality of air for patients and have damaging impacts
on hand pieces.
Overall Office Strategies
Choose a dry, oil free vacuum system for your practice. This
newer technology uses no water compared to a traditional
system which consumes approximately a gallon a minute.
Design & Construction
n Select an architect and builder that are LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited or have
HVAC System experience working on green projects. A good place to start
is by visiting usgbc.org for contact information for your local
n Purchase high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment which U.S. Green Building Council chapter.
will save money, and produce less pollution during operation.
n Evaluate the feasibility of pursuing LEED certification for
n Integrate a heat recovery feature into your HVAC system new practice construction and tenant improvements.
which can be used to pre-heat or pre-cool outside air, using
n Ask your contractor to develop a waste management plan
the exhaust air as the source. This will reduce energy
to facilitate recycling, and insure proper disposal of non-
consumption during wintertime, and during extreme summer
recyclable materials during construction and/or renovation
conditions.
of your practice.
n Install programmable thermostats that automatically
n Select a location that fully utilizes your region’s existing
adjust temperature settings based on the time of day and
characteristics. Work with your design team to weigh the
day of the week.
benefits and drawbacks of a potential site’s sun, soil, water
n Regularly change your HVAC filters and tune-up your units. and wind conditions.
n Consider installing locking devices on thermostats to maintain n Consider a high density location when constructing a new
desired temperature settings. practice. Density reduces automobile use and creates
healthier communities. Look for nearby access to public
transportation and other vital services.
Water Heater n Renovate an existing building for your new practice to
n Install an energy efficient water heater. Consult with your preserves more resources than ground-up construction.
project team or visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s website
for their Consumer Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy (eere.energy.gov/consumer) to determine what type of
water heater is most appropriate for your practice.
n Insulate your existing water heater tank for energy savings.
A tank that’s warm to the touch needs additional insulation.

Your Henry Schein Dental Sales Consultants can provide further information and assistance. For details, call 800-645-6594.
The good Materials & Furnishings
news: Going
n Use products and materials that are durable. A product that lasts longer usually
requires less maintenance and saves energy.
n Select building materials that will require little maintenance (painting, retreatment,
waterproofing, etc.), or whose maintenance will have minimal environmental impact.
green is a smart move n Choose construction materials that are salvaged, have a high-recycled content, are
for the environment certified wood products, and/or are rapidly renewable resources such as bamboo.
n Give preference to materials manufactured locally to offset the adverse impacts of
and for your bottom transportation.
n Create a custom look and conserve resources by furnishing your space with
line! If you feel second-hand finds, such as tables and chairs for your waiting room.
n When purchasing new office furniture and fixtures, look for products that follow
daunted by the the “cradle to cradle” design philosophy. These products use environmentally
healthy materials and production methods and are designed for the product to be
undertaking, start easily recycled at the end of the product’s useful life.
n Look for carpet that has no PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in the backing. Consider
by implementing using carpet tiles which will allow soiled areas to easily be removed and laundered
or switched with tiles from other low traffic areas if necessary. If possible, select
the easiest strategies a product that has been certified as Green Label Plus, which means it has been
tested by an independent, certified laboratory and meets stringent criteria for
low chemical emissions.
first and as time n Select materials for your space that do not emit harmful chemicals so that there
aren’t any issues with “off-gassing.” Use low VOC (volatile organic compounds)
and finances permit, paints, laminates and adhesives.

commit your office

Lighting
to doing more. n Design your office to maximize natural light and minimize energy use with carefully
placed windows and/or skylights.
Not only will your n Install occupancy sensors in rooms that are infrequently used. These sensors will
save energy by automatically turning lights on when someone enters a room and
practice benefit from turning lights off when they leave.

your environmental n Save money and energy by swapping out your incandescent bulbs for compact
fluorescents which are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer.

stewardship, but n Use daylight dimmers that turn off lights automatically when there is sufficient
natural light.

you will have the n Control direct sunlight through windows with screens or film.
n Install LED exit signs that last 20 times longer than conventional signs.
personal gratification
of knowing you are Energy Use
Use high-performance windows, high levels of insulation and tight construction
doing your part to
n

to conserve energy.

protect the planet for Design your space to utilize renewable energy such as passive solar heating,
n

daylighting and natural cooling.

generations to come. n Purchase renewable energy through your local utility company.

Your Henry Schein Dental Sales Consultants can provide further information and assistance. For details, call 800-645-6594. HSD0433