New technology is having a massive impact on healthcare, including medicine, surgery, and dentistry. It has been suggested that, by 2035, 90% of keyhole surgeries will involve a robot, a massive increase on the 20% utilising a robot today.[i] Whilst for some, this may feel very futuristic, the dramatic increase in the use of digital solutions within dentistry alone shows how quickly different elements of modern technology can be adopted under the right circumstances.
In addition to improving productivity within healthcare settings, the right technology can also offer environmental benefits through the reduction of waste, energy consumption, and chemical usage. As such, dental professionals should consider their sustainability goals when making decisions about whether to continue with the sole use of analogue methods, or to embrace digital solutions and reap the benefits.
Environmental sustainability in dentistry
As with many other major areas, the dental profession has a responsibility to work towards environmental sustainability, in order to safeguard global ecosystems and enhance wellbeing. As such, it’s vital that decision-making is undertaken with a view to supporting a transition to sustainable development goals. Whilst this may seem a daunting prospect to some, integrating these goals into everyday dental settings is vital to help protect the future of our planet.[ii]
Integrating cutting-edge technology can change the way dental professionals approach sustainability. Whilst it is imperative that clinical accuracy and optimal patient outcomes are always put first, there are some cases in which digital solutions offer an excellent alternative to traditional methods, helping to reduce waste and energy consumption within dental settings.[iii]
Some examples of simple switches using new technology to help meet sustainability goals include digital imaging systems that remove the need for chemical processing and reduce energy use, steam sterilisation to limit chemical usage, energy-efficient LED lighting, and use of advanced dental equipment to conserve water.iii
Within dental practices
Adopting digital workflows throughout the practice affords a wide range of benefits. The use of digital tools may enhance the patient experience resulting in better patient retention and reducing the time and cost in acquiring new patients.
Using digital record-keeping platforms minimises the need for paper files, helping to save on storage space and administrative costs. Often using less energy than traditional options, modern dental equipment helps to reduce the practice’s carbon footprint whilst lowering utility bills.
Finally, digital dental solutions that result in fewer remakes, mean less wasted time and materials – this further reduces the impact of waste on the environment and costs.[iv]
Although the initial investment in digital solutions can sometimes be significant, they offer a long-term return on investment. Often, embracing digital workflows will result in cost reductions thanks to savings on materials, improved efficiency, and an increased number of patients being treated. Over time, these factors can result in sustainable growth whilst positioning the practice as a leader in modern technology.
Within the dental practice, the Mimetrik™ Cubit360™ scanner enables direct scanning of an impression for complex restorative cases and edentulous patients, eliminating the need to send the impression in the post to a lab. This significantly reduces the time to prosthesis or denture manufacture, and carbon footprint not only in transport of impressions but also in reduced patient appointments.
Within the dental lab
It is important that dental labs are not left out of the conversation when we consider the benefits of digital technology on the environment. One major advantage for digital dental labs is the reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional workflows. Digital scanners and milling machines are far more energy efficient than traditional methods, having a significant impact on a lab’s carbon footprint in addition to their energy bills. Further to this, we must consider the reduction in material waste both through the use of digital treatment planning platforms as well as more streamlined workflows, ultimately resulting in fewer mistakes and remakes.[v]
Mimetrik™ understands the needs of dental technicians, as well as the vital relationships between dental labs and practices in order to achieve excellent results. The Cubit360™ scanner enables fast scan times, with accurate bite scans from dental models achieved in under five seconds, without the need for metal mounting frames – simply hold the model in front of the scanner and begin scanning immediately. Cubit360 is small, portable, and energy efficient ideal for busy settings.
Modern digital dentistry solutions offer significant benefits for the environment through a number of channels, including reduced waste, energy consumption, and chemical use. By incorporating digital methods, dental professionals can better and more easily align themselves with sustainable targets in order to meet their environmental goals.v
Author: Alyn Morgan
[i] The Guardian. Millions more to have robotic surgery in NHS plan to cut waiting lists. Accessed June 25. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/11/millions-more-to-have-robotic-surgery-in-nhs-plan-to-cut-waiting-lists
[ii] Khurshid, Zohaib, Hatim Alqurashi, and Heba Ashi. “Advancing environmental sustainability in dentistry and oral health.” European Journal of General Dentistry 13.03 (2024): 264-268.
[iii] The Smile Centre. Revolutionising Oral Health: The Impact of Eco-Friendly Dentistry. Accessed June 25. https://www.the-smile-centre.com/news/revolutionising-oral-health-the-impact-of-eco-friendly-dentistry
[iv] Vitality Technologies. The Cost-Saving Benefits of Going Digital in Your Dental Practice. Accessed June 25. https://www.vitalitytechllc.com/the-cost-saving-benefits-of-going-digital-in-your-dental-practice
[v] Khurshid Z. Digital Dentistry: Transformation of Oral Health and Dental Education with Technology. Eur J Dent. 2023 Oct;17(4):943-944. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1772674. Epub 2023 Sep 20. PMID: 37729928; PMCID: PMC10756720.