It is generally agreed that sustainability encompasses the following areas:
Environmental, Social and Governance. These three pillars are often referred to by their international acronym “ESG”. Let’s take a look at these aspects individually.
Environmental sustainability
The focus here is on protecting our natural resources. It includes the responsible use of resources, climate protection and the preservation of biodiversity. This aspect is also becoming increasingly significant in the dental industry: more and more dental clinics are focusing on energy-efficient equipment, environmentally friendly cleaning agents and waste reduction.
Social sustainability
This pillar centres on people: fair working conditions, social inclusion and access to education and healthcare. In dentistry, social sustainability can take the form of preventative measures that ensure long-term dental health, irrespective of income or background, for example. The respectful treatment of clinic and laboratory employees is also part of this concept.
Governance
Governance is about successful long-term business practices that take environmental and social aspects into account. In the dental industry, this includes developing sustainable, long-lasting solutions that are manufactured in a resource-efficient way. Digital technologies such as CAD/CAM and 3D printing can play a significant part here.
Conclusion
Sustainability is about more than protecting the environment. It isn’t just a fleeting trend. It’s a common framework for action towards a sustainable society – and that includes healthcare.
At DMG, we do our best to reflect all this. On one hand through our resource-conserving measures such as green roofs, photovoltaic systems, reduced packaging and the use of green electricity. And on the other hand through a long-term corporate and human resources policy that emphasises responsibility in social, environmental and economic terms.
You can find more information on sustainability at DMG on our website here under the three categories “Environmental awareness”, “Social commitment” and “Corporate responsibility”.