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Green Dental Environmentalism among Students and Dentists in Greece

Author

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  • Maria Antoniadou

    (Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Georgios Chrysochoou

    (Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Rafael Tzanetopoulos

    (Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

  • Elena Riza

    (Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology & Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Ηuman sustainability in dental enterprises, as in every workplace, is connected to air and water quality, eco-friendly and naturally designed working spaces, and the culture of the 4Rs. The purpose of this study was to assess pro-environmental behavior, as well as knowledge of preferences for circular economies and green building construction, among a sample of dental students and dentists in Greece. We further assessed the factors influencing their choices. Students (N1 = 93) and dentists (N2 = 126) filled in e-questionnaires from April to December 2022. The data revealed that both students and dentists lack knowledge about the circular economy (N1 = 67.74%, N2 = 68.25%), EU regulations on amalgam disposal (N1 = 64.51%, N2 = 58.73%), and plastic recycling (N1 = 76.34%, N2 = 76.98%); meanwhile, they do recycle at home (N1 = 80.64%, N2 = 82.54%) and have participated in voluntary environmental initiatives (N1 = 58.06%, N2 = 66.66%). Gender influences the importance of factors related to green dental practices, with women students being more likely to agree that increased costs for network changes ( p = 0.02) and poor wastewater management ( p = 0.01) are significant. Students from urban areas are more likely to give positive answers to questions related to the lack of state financial support ( p = 0.02), low levels of green design in buildings ( p = 0.03), the negligible direct financial benefits of green dental offices ( p = 0.04), the negligible reputational benefits of green dental offices ( p = 0.02), and the lack of continuing education training seminars on green dentistry ( p = 0.05). For dentists, no significant relationships were observed, except for a weak positive relationship for the increases in costs due to changes related to utility networks ( p = 0.08), while increases in waste energy ( p = 0.12) and the waste of dental materials ( p = 0.19) seemed significant only for dentists in urban areas. Women dentists were more likely to answer positively regarding wasting energy ( p = 0.024) and the use of unapproved disinfection products ( p = 0.036). The findings contribute ideas and solutions for green dental practice buildings and sustainable behaviors through educational activities and regarding the social aspects of factors such as age, experience in dentistry, gender, and urbanism. This study also provides a basis for future multi-disciplinary research on dental quality assurance, the psychology of environmentalism, economics, and behavioral science in dentistry.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Antoniadou & Georgios Chrysochoou & Rafael Tzanetopoulos & Elena Riza, 2023. "Green Dental Environmentalism among Students and Dentists in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9508-:d:1170227
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Maria Antoniadou, 2024. "Integrating Lean Management and Circular Economy for Sustainable Dentistry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Maria Chanioti & Georgios Nikolelis & Ioanna Mitsika & Maria Antoniadou, 2025. "The Role of Dentists in Promoting Environmental Awareness and Climate Consciousness for Sustainability," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 5(4), pages 3645-3669, August.
    3. Maria Antoniadou, 2024. "The ECODENT Model for Enhancing Pro-environmental Behaviors in Dentists," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 1387-1403, June.

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