Live-Stream Cat 1 - Sustainability in Dentistry – Monday, June 9, 2025
Category 1 - 3 CE Points
A free event for OSP members
Course Description
Anthropogenic climate change can no longer be denied; globally, healthcare contributes roughly 4.6% to total global greenhouse gas emissions annually. All sectors of society need to reevaluate their methods of operation to mitigate these emissions if we are to slow down global warming and the consequences thereof. This presentation will offer suggestions as to how you can make your dental practice more sustainable, broken down into prevention, supply chain, transport, buildings and energy, drugs and devices, natural systems, food, and most importantly, leadership.
Learning Objectives
1) An understanding of the science with respect to climate change and the planetary boundaries
2) An understanding of the significant role healthcare providers have with respect to carbon footprint
3) An understanding of actions that can be taken in the dental office to mitigate environmental waste and carbon footprint
Dr. Laurie Houston graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry in 1985 and ran her own practice in Bracebridge until 2012. She is the past Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Working Group of the ODA and a past Director on the Board. Dr. Houston is the dental lead for Partnerships for Environmental Action by Clinicians and Communities for Healthcare Facilities www.peachhealthontario.com. She has presented on the topic of sustainability in dentistry for the FDI Sustainability Summit (May 2024), the Association of Dental Safety (ADS) (May 2024), the Pacific Dental Conference ( March 2024 and 2025), both dental faculties in Ontario (2023 and 2024), Georgian College dental assisting students (Sept 2024), Spectrum Edmonton and Toronto ( May 2024 and Oct 2024), Technorama (April 2024), the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontics (2024), and multiple dental component societies in Ontario. Laurie has written articles on sustainability for Oral Health, the British Columbia Dental Association, Ontario Dentist, the American College of Dentists, and the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontics. She is the founder of CanHelp Through HealthCare, a registered Canadian dental charity.
