At Smile4U we strive to create and maintain smiles that don’t cost the Earth. It is with this philosophy in mind that we have implemented procedures and sourced specialised equipment to maintain the high standards of infection control, as is required of all ADA accredited practices, while minimising our environmental footprint.
While the use of single-use plastic items amongst dental practices is still commonplace, Smile4U recognise that a practice helping 10 patient’s a day could be sending extraordinary amounts of plastic to landfill. Single-use plastics in the dental practice range include water tips, suction tips, infection control barriers, cups, cheek retractors to more simple things like bibs.
Smile4U has managed to source reusable equipment which is able to be sterilised meeting strict infection control standards. This includes autoclavable suction and water tips cheek retractors. Plastic cups have also been replaced with degradable water-based cups. Although we haven’t been able to eliminate all plastic, we have teamed up with Bio-Protect, and now use biodegradable infection control barriers which efficiently biodegrade once in a landfill. Non-biodegradable soft plastic waste which is not contaminated is sorted and directed to soft plastic recyclic pathways through Coles and Woolworth’s recycling stations.
We are also proud to be part of community projects like Terracycle. Terracycle is a not for profit organisation helping to redirect oral health waste from ending up in a landfill. As a community collection point, Smile4U welcomes all used toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and associated packaging from surrounding areas. Waste is then posted to Terracycle who either reuse or upcycle waste into new products, helping to raise millions of dollars for charities worldwide
Smile4U have also been associated with Wildlife Rescue for almost two years. 1% of all Smile4U profits go towards the reforestation and preservation of pristine Australia wilderness such as the Daintree rainforest.
Although we realise that there are many challenges facing our world we at Smile4U are eager to face those challenges head working towards brighter smiles and futures for all.
