12 green products/companies you should know

By Kevin Henry, managing editor, Dental Economics

I’ve often heard the phrase “the dirty dozen” uttered. The following list, however, is anything but dirty. Following you’ll find 12 green products or companies that could help your dental practice take steps toward becoming more earth-friendly. In this age of enlightenment in regard to the effect we each have on our planet, it only makes sense to check out items that can help future generations.

If you have a green product you’d like to tell me about, drop me a line at [email protected].

1. Digital radiography, including the DEXIS Platinum Sensor
One of the easiest ways to become more earth-friendly in your dental practice is to ditch the film and chemicals and go digital. One of the newest ways to help your practice become more efficient with digital radiography is the new DEXIS® Platinum intraoral sensor. With a direct USB connection, new image capture technology, and enhanced ergonomic design, it looks like DEXIS has created another winner. For more information, log on to www.dexis.com or call (888) 883-3947.

2. The ECO™ Tray from Waterpik
Waterpik bills this impression tray made with resins formulated from vegetables as the only biodegradable impression tray on the planet. The ECO™ Tray is biodegradable, renewable, and compostable, and offers the same structural integrity as petroleum-based trays. With a tagline of “no change in impression results; immediate benefit for the environment,” Waterpik’s new product definitely shows an earth-friendly commitment. For more information, check out www.ecotray.waterpik.com or call (800) 468-7094.

3. Medicom SafeGauze® Green Non-Woven Sponges
Medicom recently made a big splash with its first green offering – SafeGauze® Green, which is 100% natural and 100% biodegradable. Made from two natural fibers, including organically grown cotton and Lyocell®, which is made from wood pulp and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to ensure that each tree taken to manufacture the fiber is replaced with a new one, SafeGauze Green is earth-friendly. For more information, log on to www.medicom.com or call (800) 361-2862.

4. EARTHCARE™ from Paradise Dental Technologies
In July, all Paradise Dental Technologies instruments began to be packaged in 100% recycled material that is 100% recyclable. That’s just part of PDT’s EARTHCARE™ program, which includes reusing all packing materials, recycling or reusing all shipping containers, and recycling or reusing all fax and copy paper. Additionally, through EARTHCARE, PDT accepts old, used instruments from the practitioner. For any 12 scalers or curettes, regardless of manufacturer, PDT offers a free instrument. PDT craftsmen then recondition any salvageable instruments and donate to dental/hygiene missions throughout the world. For more information, visit www.pdtdental.com or call (800) 240-9895.

5. DentalEZ’s everLight
The new everLight™ LED operatory light provides color-corrected lighting and precise light pattern. In terms of helping the environment, the LED everLight provides energy-efficient features simply not possible using traditional halogen lighting. The everLight encompasses a long life of 30,000-plus hours, 10 times longer than halogen, reducing the need for regular replacement of lightbulbs. Moreover, dental professionals will enjoy substantial savings on monthly energy expenses, as the everLight uses less than 35 watts of energy; 70% less than halogen-based systems. For more information about everLight, call (866) DTE-INFO or visit www.dentalez.com.

6. Products from GBLift.com (Green Business Lift)
Sometimes being “green” means more than just making sure everything is biodegradable or recycled. Another basic concept of being green is about being local and using local products and services. With this in mind, Green Business Lift sought out companies that are “local” to North America. Every product offered, from saliva ejectors to sterilization pouches, is assembled in either the United States or Canada of as many local resources as possible. Green Business Lift’s goal is to eliminate the word “disposable” from the dental dictionary. For more information, log on to gblift.com or call (877) GBLIFT1.

7. Ecotex products from JP Solutions
Ecotex products and packaging make use of natural, biodegradable, and recycled materials where possible to save trees and reduce landfill impact. JP Solutions estimates that Ecotex’s current dental sponge offering, for example, can save 500 tons of paper for the industry and that its special compressed packaging on some items produces a 15% reduction in packaging materials and a 10% reduction in fuel consumption. As part of its commitment to the environment, JP Solutions donates 5% of profits from Ecotex sales to nonprofit conservancy organizations. For more information, contact your dealer, call JP Solutions at (845) 589-0215, or visit jpsolutionsbrands.com.

8. Pelton & Crane’s full line of AeroPure Vacuum and Compressor Accessories
Did you know that a dual, two-horsepower, wet-ring vacuum in your practice can use up to 240,000 gallons of water per year (two gallons per minute x 60 minutes per hour x eight hours per day x five days per week x 50 weeks per year). How much is 240,000 gallons? The average hot tub holds 450 to 500 gallons and seats six adults. 240,000 gallons can fill 480 hot tubs. Looking to reduce your water usage and save some hot tubs? AeroPure’s oil-less dry regenerative blower technology is described by Pelton & Crane as the greenest in its class. No water or oil is needed, greatly reducing the environmental footprint. For more information, visit www.pelton.net or call (800) 659-6560.

9. Midmark Integra dental cabinetry
What makes Integra different? The casework is primarily constructed of steel and medium density fiberboard (MDF), both materials consisting of a high-recycled content. Integra MDF panels are made of NFA board, no formaldehyde added, for improved indoor air quality. Best of all, these are all standard product features with the Integra line, meaning there is no “green product” upcharge for customers. Also, Midmark recently announced that all of its products manufactured with composite wood components are now in compliance with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) airborne toxic control measure to control formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. CARB compliancy is just one step in a companywide movement to a “greener,” more environmentally friendly approach to its current and future products. For more information, call (800) MIDMARK or visit www.midmark.com.

10. Enzyme Industries Sani-Treet Green
Unlike Las Vegas, what happens on a daily basis in a dental practice doesn’t stay in the dental practice. Helping to clean the suction traps around the country, Enzyme Industries has created a multipurpose enzyme concentrate (sani-treet GREEN) that is a nontoxic, noncaustic, foam-fighting, biodegradable cleaner that uses the enzymes instead of dangerous chemicals. When diluted with water as directed, the pH is between 6.7 and 8.9, making sani-treet GREEN a good choice for treating amalgam separators. Order from your dealer or call (888) 236-9963 for a sample and more information, or log on to www.enzymeindustries.com.

11. Membership in the Eco-Dentistry Association
If you work in dental and you’re interested in saving the environment, there’s no better ally for you than the Eco-Dentistry Association. The brainchild of Dr. Fred and Ina Pockrass, the Eco-Dentistry Association was formed to support dental professionals in making the transition to green practices and connect dental patients to dental professionals who share their commitment to a healthy lifestyle and a healthy planet. The Web site, www.ecodentistry.org, has some great green nuggets of knowledge, and becoming a member is as low as $499 per practice. Check it out online or drop an e-mail to [email protected].

12. PureLife
PureLife calls itself “the dental industry’s first environmentally friendly and socially responsible dental supply company.” With a motto of “supplies for a cleaner tomorrow,” PureLife has partnered with Carbonfund.org to offset all of its carbon emissions, including those resulting from the transportation and delivery of products to customers. All product deliveries from PureLife are certified as CarbonFree Shipping. For more information, log on to www.purelifegloves.com or call (877) 777-3303.