Prof. Ioannis Tzoutzas

Environmental issues and future sustainability-oriented policies, related to Dentistry and Orthodontics

A large number of disposables is produced during the daily activity of Dental offices and clinics. Some of them are classified as hazardous or contaminated materials – sharps, old dental materials, prosthetic restorations, plastics, foam, glass and, in general, a large quantity of disposables is generated, due to both clinical and laboratory as well as administrative performance of the dental offices. The European Council has held since 2014 a public orientation debate, targeting to improve waste management in the European Union, with a view to protect the quality of the environment and ensuring prudent and rational use of natural resources.

The continuous increase of interest on Environmental issues, strengthened also from the Covid Footprint, includes management protocols on packaging materials, modeling materials, 3D printing materials and polymers in general, construction related materials (gypsum) and silica containing materials as well as management of the waste water and recently the consumption of fresh water and energy.

In this presentation various current proposals and future trends on waste management are going to be presented, oriented to the dental office activities and more specifically to Orthodontics.

Short Curriculum Vitae

Emeritus Professor Ioannis G. Tzoutzas, DDS, Dr. Odont, FICD, FASD, graduated from the School of Dentistry, University of Athens, in 1977 and pursued postgraduate studies in the University of Southern California in Los Angeles (USA). He participated for 41 years in the activities of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He was Professor and Chair of Dental Practice Management, in the University of Athens, School of Dentistry.

He is publishing extensively in the field of Dental Biomaterials, Infection Control and Patient Safety issues and in the field of Dental Practice Management, Environmental issues and Dental Ethics and has more than 440 presentations in both Hellenic and International Scientific conventions. Member of the Board of Directors, Council of European Dentists, the Hellenic Dental Association and Vice President in the Athens Regional Dental Association.