Sir, I read with interest your editorial on sustainability,1 however, it only touches on the fundamental issue.

Prevention of dental disease is a key principle. The eradication of most, if not all, dental disease and the huge carbon footprint associated with the treatment of caries, perio, and oral cancer, is within the grasp of the profession. This subject is the core of the FDI, to which the BDA contributes much expertise and input. It's not just about paper cups and single use instruments but about the way we practise, not least in our approach to elective, mostly cosmetic treatment which we are increasingly promoting widely to eager 'customers'.

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© Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/Getty Images Plus

Perhaps we need to take a view on this as well as taking a hard look at ourselves, and, at the very least, bring in the importance of sustainability to the informed consent we discuss with our patients. Ever seen or heard a debate on this aspect of sustainability?

The BDA and the profession should be using the sustainability argument at the highest level to argue for a more inclusive, prevention-based approach to dentistry and a new improved NHS contract. Yes, it's a challenge to make our arguments as we must always put patient safety foremost in the procedures we carry out and the infection control measures we employ, but this needs much more up-to-date research to ensure an effective balance is achieved.

The leadership for this is under your nose and is prominent at the FDI and ongoing. The resources are available to every NDA but the signposting to it leaves a lot to be desired.

It's less about plant-based lunches and more about generating an awareness of the fundamentals of the raison d'être for dentistry and how we achieve the eradication of dental NCDs.