Saving the Chesapeake Bay from unnecessary environmental damage is not an impossible feat for dental professionals. There are small changes that dentists who have a practice near the Chesapeake Bay can install into their office to be more environmentally friendly and preserve the beauty of the bay.

 

Recycling

 

Recycling is the easiest and most common way that helps the environment. When a dental practice elects to recycle, they are ensuring that their paper does not end up in a landfill, which could cause it to end up in the Chesapeake Bay. Recycling paper is the best way to reduce waste in the environment and cause a positive change. In addition to recycling paper, dental practices should use recycled paper. Reusing paper is important, but it is not the only thing that can be reused. Machines and equipment can be recycled and purchased second hand, but still work with the quality of a new machine. Recycling old equipment is important in keeping the earth clean.

 

Turning off equipment and lights

 

Dental professionals use an abundance of different machines and equipment, but they do not use them all at once. Unplugging and turning off any equipment that is not in use can help to reduce greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are bad for the environment because they pollute the air. Keeping the air clean is essential in keeping water clean, which is why eliminating greenhouse gases is important in keeping the Chesapeake Bay in prestige condition. At the end of every day, dental professionals should turn off the lights and unplug all of the equipment to reduce the greenhouse gases while simultaneously reducing the electric bill.

 

Reducing wastewater

 

Dental professionals within a practice use an average of 57,000 gallons of water every year. Eliminating a chunk of that water can be beneficial to the environment because it’s reserving the water in the Chesapeake Bay and ensuring that the water available is allocated wisely. Water is an important resource and should not be used willy-nilly and instead should be reserved only for important uses. An alternative to water use is a dry vacuuming system for cleaning out the water in patients mouths.

 

Using alternative commuting

 

Walking to work, riding a bike to work and carpooling with co workers to work are all efficient ways to help eliminate carbon dioxide outputs created from vehicles. When driving a car, the car omits a large amount of carbon dioxide gasses that pollutes the air and the Chesapeake Bay. Electing to walk or bike is a great way to save the bay, but carpooling can also be effective in limiting the amount of toxic gases that are being made. You also can encourage patients to come by public transportation. For example, Silver Spring where ICC Smiles is located is on the Metro Line.

 

Keeping the area clean and planted

 

Plants and trees are necessary for creating oxygen and allowing people and animals to breathe. To maintain the wildlife of the Chesapeake Bay, planting trees is important step that dental practices can make as well as ensuring there is no garbage left around their practice. Reducing litter also is helpful.