1. Further Information please contact: devika.vadher@nhs.net.
3338
Reducing dental inequalities through a sustainably minded workforce: A possible solution
D. Vadher and S. Shah
Introduction
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)
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.
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.
Aim
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.
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.)
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:
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
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 May 16;373(9676):
Mortimer F. The sustainable physician. Clin Med (Lond) Apr;10(2):110-1.
Reduce carbon without reducing health
Reduce activity
Prevention
Self care
Lean pathways
Reduce carbon intensity
Low carbon alternatives
Sustainable estates
Fig.1: The Triple bottom line
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.