Exploring attitudes towards more sustainable dentistry among adults living in the UK

Introduction: Despite evidence that public pressure can promote sustainability in various domains (for example, retail and travel), no research has considered the public's attitudes towards sustainability in dentistry.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed to measure attitudes towards sustainable dentistry among adults living in the UK and their willingness to make compromises to reduce the impact of their dental treatment on the environment. In total, 344 adults completed the questionnaire that also measured pro-environmental identity and concern, general willingness to make compromises for the environment, and the tendency to engage in ecological behaviours.

Results: Participants reported positive attitudes towards sustainable dentistry, and were willing to compromise their time, convenience and durability of their dental treatment, as well as pay more, to reduce the impact of their dental work on the environment. Participants were not willing to compromise their health or the aesthetics of their teeth. There was also evidence that participants' current oral health shaped their attitudes towards sustainable dentistry, such that better oral health was associated with more positive attitudes towards more sustainable dentistry.

Conclusions: Given that public pressure can be a significant driver of change, these findings provide valuable insight into the kind of compromises that may be accepted by the public in order to improve the sustainability of dental services.