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Reducing dental inequalities through a sustainably minded
workforce: A possible solution
D. Vadher and S. Shah
Introduction
Aim
Health and the environment are intrinsically
linked; protection of the environment is essential
for ensuring the long-term health of people and
communities.
Climate change has been described as “the
biggest threat to global health in the 21st
century” (1)
The aim as highlighted as a goal at the Centre
for Sustainable Healthcare (CSH), is to raise
awareness of the importance of sustainability
in dentistry amongst dental professionals.
Methods
Initiation of the module was the result of a
stakeholder mapping exercise to identify key
groups the team at CSH would need to
influence in order to meet its aim.
Development of an e-module was deemed the
highest impact project to influence a change
towards sustainable practice. The module was
developed to target all members of the dental
team.
Dental care should be provided within a
sustainable health care system; one which
considers social, environmental and economic
constraints (see Fig 1), to reduce dental
inequalities and the ensure resources for future
generations simultaneously.
With the aid of the programme reference
group and professionals with knowledge in
sustainability
and
carbon
modelling,
development of the module commenced.
The four Principles of Sustainable healthcare
(2) form the foundation of the module content
(see Fig 2.)
Prevention
Reduce activity
Reduce carbon
without reducing
health
Self care
Lean pathways
Low carbon
alternatives
Reduce carbon
intensity
Sustainable
estates
Fig.1: The Triple bottom line
To address these issues “An Introduction to
Sustainable Dentistry and Measuring Carbon in
Healthcare” e-learning module has been
produced to educate the dental workforce to act
sustainably and take a holistic approach to health
care delivery. The module is accessible for free
via the “e -learning for health” platform for the
NHS workforce in the U.K.
The module provides an introduction to climate
change; highlighting the need to increase value
from finite resources. It progresses to the four
principles of Sustainable health care and carbon
modelling. Finally it equips the learner with
practical advice and resources to become a
sustainable dental practitioner.
Fig. 2: The Four Principles of Sustainable Healthcare
Disease prevention and health promotion
with an emphasis on patient education and
self-care can help reduce the burden on an
already stretched health care system.
Furthermore, the development of lean service
delivery pathways with integration of
specialist services and use of clinically
effective low carbon medical technologies will
reduce resource use.
Conclusion
Adherence to the four Principles of Sustainable
Healthcare, considering the triple bottom line
and wider determinants of health when
designing dental systems and in daily clinical
practice can enable provision of an efficient,
more equitable dental service, thereby reducing
dental inequalities in the population of interest.
The module is currently under evaluation which
will be reported on in the near future.
The authors envision the training module has
potential for use more widely across Europe, and
be a driving force for a system wide change in
dentistry; this is prudent as the impact of our
profession on the environment should not be
ignored.
Further Information please contact:
[email protected].
http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/home/
Results
A pilot group delivered feedback to produce
the module in its final form. The session
successfully launched on NHS Sustainability
day this year. It is 20 minutes in duration and
provides the learner with verifiable continued
professional development.
Educational material is delivered via text, video
links, interactive slides and culminates with an
assessment session.
Acknowledgements
Thanks go to Health Education England working Across
Kent, Surrey and Sussex for funding this project, to the
team at CSH and e-lfh for their time and effort for making
this project possible.
References
(1) Costello A, Abbas M, Allen A, et al. Managing the health effects
of climate change: Lancet and University College London
Institute for Global Health Commission. Lancet. 2009 May
16;373(9676):1693-733.
(2) Mortimer F. The sustainable physician. Clin Med (Lond). 2010
Apr;10(2):110-1.