Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dental professionals towards green dentistry in Karachi city- a cross-sectional survey

Document Type

Article

Department

Dental-oral, Maxillo-facial Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Environmental degradation from pollution, global warming, and industrialization, is alarming with dentistry significantly contributing through mercury and plastic toxicity from improper waste handling.
Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Dental professionals towards "Green Dentistry" working in the public and private sectors of Karachi city.
Design: A cross-sectional survey.
Setting: Karachi, Pakistan (Online).
Materials and methods: An online questionnaire was conducted among dentists of Karachi, Pakistan, from January to June 2023 collecting participant's demographic data and assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice of eco-friendly dentistry.
Results: With a 61% response rate, most respondents (48.5%) were General Dental Practitioners (GDPs). Dental consultants (DC) exhibited higher awareness of green dentistry (29%) with 50% of DCs favoring digital radiography as environmentally friendly (p < 0.05). Green dentistry practices were more prevalent among DCs with 42.8% (p < 0.05) eliminating amalgam usage, while more GDPs (72.2%, p < 0.05) adopted re-usable lab coats and patient drapes.
Discussion and conclusion: Awareness of "Green Dentistry" is generally lacking among participants. Both GDPs and DCs are inclined towards adopting environment-friendly dental practices. Education on energy conservation and materials is essential to reduce waste in the dental industry.

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Pagination is not provided by author/publisher

AKU Student

no

Publication (Name of Journal)

BMC oral health

DOI

10.1186/s12903-025-07215-4

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