Ninety-one per cent of respondents ranked DHDC's environmental ethos as “important”, “very important”, or “more important than any other aspect”. Equally impressive, 94 per cent of patients said they would recommend the practice based on its environmentally friendly approach.
Dove Holistic Dental Centre (DHDC) in Bognor Regis is an eco-friendly dental practice built with sustainability as a guiding principle. It is also the inspiration for Greener Dentistry Global, a toolkit and accreditation program created by its principal, Davinder Raju.
The survey, which involved 374 randomly selected patients, revealed a significant and growing trend towards environmental consciousness. Notably, 97 per cent of respondents said they had already taken steps to reduce their environmental footprint. This data is a clear indication that sustainability is not just a passing trend but a growing concern among dental patients, a trend that dental practices should be aware of and adapt to.
Furthermore, 94 per cent of patients said they valued prevention and a minimally invasive approach to oral healthcare, aligning with the principles of sustainable dentistry. Interestingly, while 37 per cent of patients expressed a desire for more information on minimal intervention dentistry and its relation to sustainability, a majority (62 per cent) said they trusted that the practice was doing all it could for the environment and its patients. Only one per cent chose the practice based on convenience.
Davinder Raju welcomed the loyalty that has accrued thanks to his dental practice's sustainable ethos. He said, “This survey is a resounding endorsement of our sustainable ethos and the work of my team. It demonstrates the trust and loyalty that can accumulate when a dental practice strives to minimise its environmental impact.”
He added, “As environmental awareness grows, dental practices that embrace eco-friendly practices are likely to experience greater patient satisfaction and recommendations. I am so grateful for the support of patients and staff for what we do, not least because it illustrates the value of the Greener Dentistry Global toolkit.”