Close

Sustainable Dentistry module 1: How-to guide: Travel

Ada Profile
Use of ADA resources © Australian Dental Association Ltd 2026. All rights reserved

ADA Guidelines and resources contains intellectual property owned by or licensed to the Australian Dental Association Ltd (ADA) and is provided for the professional use of ADA members and authorised users. It must not be reproduced, shared, modified or used commercially without ADA's written permission. Users should check the ADA website for the latest version. This resource is for general information only and does not constitute professional or legal advice. To the extent permitted by law, ADA excludes liability for reliance on this resource. Use is subject to the ADA Terms and Conditions.

Based on new analysis conducted by climate researchers, it's estimated that 11,000 people die prematurely from air pollution in Australia every year. (9,10) These statistics indicate that the probability of dying from air pollution in Australia is nine times higher than the likelihood of dying in a fatal car crash. (11)

This section focuses on travel and transport. It explores the ways in which the dental team can have an impact on the travel choices of both patients and staff members. (6)

Sustainable Dentistry How To Guide Travel

Why is it important?

Transport in Australia ranks as the third most significant contributor, responsible for 19% of greenhouse gas emissions, with cars and other light motor vehicles responsible for 11%. These emissions have displayed a consistent upward trend since 1990 (excluding 2020, where temporary reductions were observed due to COVID-19 restrictions). (1,2,3)

Whilst data for Australia are not yet available, studies in the United Kingdom reveal that emissions from travel contribute approx. 64.5% of all emissions from dental services, and the combined total emissions for patient travel are similar to that of staff travel. (4,5) These studies also reveal that the energy required for a practice to conduct a 5-minute appointment is low, but the travel emissions for the appointment are comparatively high. (6)

Car exhausts produce carbon dioxide as well as other pollutants including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons, which contribute to smog and can have detrimental impacts on human health, particularly on young children and people with respiratory and cardiovascular disease. (7,8)

What does sustainable travel look like?

In a dental practice, we need to think about how we can positively influence staff and patient travel as well as the transportation of goods and laboratory items to and from the practice. (12) Consider:

• Patient journeys can be reduced by booking family appointments together and practicing efficient quadrant dentistry, and completing multiple interventions in a single visit, where possible. (12)

• Facilitating active and sustainable travel to dental practices, such as promoting public transport use, walking, cycling, and car sharing. (6)

• Adopting low and zero emissions technologies, e.g. electric vehicles. (6)

• The dental team can liaise with suppliers and dental laboratories to reduce the number of deliveries and promote sustainable delivery methods. (6) (See Section 2 – Equipment and Supplies).

Take Home Points for the Dental Team:

• The majority of carbon emissions in the field of dentistry (64.5%) are generated through travel. (6)

• The use of fossil fuel-based transportation has a substantial impact on air quality, which in turn has repercussions for the overall health of the population. (6)

• The dental team should prioritise dental disease prevention, promote public transport opportunities, and where possible facilitate active modes of transport. (6)

In this section... How to:

1a. Encourage active transport

1b. Consider alternative options for sustainable transport

1c. Install electric vehicle charging points

1a. How to: Encourage active transport

Why is it important?

Did you know that the amount an average Australian household spends on transport (over $11,000 per year), is approx. seven times what it spends on electricity (approx. $1,500 per year)? (13) By making thoughtful decisions regarding your transport, you have the ability to decrease your greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and air pollution, and save money. (7)

Active transport is travel by means of human-generated effort. It includes walking, cycling, skating, etc. Its benefits are numerous:

• Decreased traffic congestion

• Reduced transport cost

• Increase in wellbeing and reduced stress levels

• Increase in local air quality

• Reduced negative environmental impacts. (7)

Encouraging active travel will help to reduce the carbon emissions costs and pollution associated with using vehicles.

What does a sustainable practice look like?

Living near your most frequently visited places like work is not always an option for everyone. However, opting for sustainable transport options like bicycle riding or using public transport can still positively impact air quality and lower your energy consumption as well as greenhouse gas emissions. (7)

Dental practices can facilitate and promote active travel for both staff and patients by:

• Promoting public transport routes and timetables on the practice website and social media channels. (12)

• Providing secure storage facilities for bicycles and e-bicycles such as bike racks or bike storage lockers.

• Providing lockers and shower/change facilities for staff where possible. (12)

• Offering incentives such as prizes, e.g. a pedometer, sportswear, or gym/sports class memberships, as well as hosting activities or cycling and walking events at the practice, may encourage your staff to increase active travel. (12)

• If you are considering building or acquiring a new dental practice, consider how public and active transport connectivity to your potential patient base can be accommodated.

Real-life examples:

The NHS England

The NHS England calculated that including just a 5% shift towards walking and cycling into its staff daily commute would result in a reduction of six tonnes of nitrogen oxide and 0.4 tonnes of particulate matter (PM) 2.5 in air pollution. This change is estimated to save approximately £300,000 in health and societal expenses each year. (6)

NHS Tower Hamlets

To encourage a shift away from car use to walking and cycling to work, a Travel Plan has been produced for NHS Tower Hamlets. Surveys were done to identify travel patterns and targets were set to increase the number of staff cycling to work and decrease staff driving to work. New cycling facilities were installed at various hospital sites. Shower and locker facilities renewal is underway. Momentum is maintained by organising cyclists’ breakfasts, sharing a range of information on the intranet, and the creation of a ‘Cycle User Group’ email list. The UK government has provided a ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme that is being implemented in the practice and enables staff to buy bikes at a reduced cost, tax-free. (12)

HOW?

Action items with this symbol contain a link to a comparable action in the World Dental Federation Sustainability in Dentistry Toolkit. You can register for the FDI Toolkit, mark this action complete, and collect an icon to display on your social media channels.

  • Install secure bike racks and bike storage at the practice

  • Provide showers, changing facilities, and lockers where possible

  • Encourage and promote active travel options by sharing public transport routes and resources on the practice website and social media channels as well as in the practice (induction manuals, notice boards, etc)

  • Display walking/cycling routes and maps of your local area in the practice

  • Survey travel patterns of your staff and patients using an online survey tool (such as Survey Monkey) to find out how they currently travel and what could help them to incorporate more walking or cycling

  • Liaise with local gyms and sports centres to find out about facilities, membership promotions, and options for your staff.

  • Start a step challenge! How about collating the pedometer count for the whole staff every week and seeing how high you can get it?

1b. How to: Consider alternative options for sustainable transport

Why is it important?

Living near your most frequently visited places like work is not always an option for everyone. However, as with active travel, opting for sustainable transport options, like purchasing an electric vehicle or changing how you use your car, can still positively impact air quality and make a difference to your greenhouse gas emissions. (7)

Did you know that the amount an average Australian household spends on transport (over $11,000 per year), is approx. seven times what it spends on electricity than electricity (approx. $1,500 per year)? (13) By making thoughtful decisions regarding your transport, you have the ability to decrease your greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, and air pollution, and save money. (7)

What does a sustainable practice look like?

Public Transport

Dental practices can encourage patients and staff to make use of public transport by providing information about bus, train, and other public transport routes on practice websites, social media channels, induction manuals, notice boards, etc. Patients and staff should be encouraged to consider and prioritise their safety when considering public transport options. (6) 

Carpooling, sharing, or renting

Engaging in carpooling and car sharing can have positive impacts on both your local community and the broader society as they help decrease the overall number of vehicles on the road, resulting in reduced air pollution, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and safer, less congested streets and highways. (7) Staff could consider lift sharing to reduce costs and, in turn, this will also reduce environmental emissions. (6) NB: Personal safety should always be prioritised when considering
carpooling or sharing. The main options are:

Carpooling:

Carpooling involves the collaborative use of vehicles by individuals who are travelling to the same destination or in the same direction. It is a practice that can be initiated or joined by family members, friends, or colleagues. Online platforms like UberPool also provide ride-matching services for carpooling. Engaging in carpooling requires coordination among household or community members, but it offers the advantage of saving money on parking and operational expenses. It is important to note that even the most affordable new car to own and operate in Australia incurs an annual cost exceeding $5,500 (RAC 2020). (7)

Car Sharing:

For those residing in urban areas, car share programs present a viable option. These programs function similarly to traditional car rentals but with the added convenience of accessing vehicles through a smartphone app or computer.  Typically, cars can be booked in 30-minute or 60-minute intervals, requiring membership. Various payment plans are available, often involving an initial upfront payment and a monthly bill covering mileage, mechanical maintenance, insurance, registration, and cleaning expenses.

Car sharing is particularly advantageous if you don’t rely on a personal vehicle for daily commuting or if you only require a second vehicle sporadically. Some apartment developers even allocate spaces in their parking lots specifically for car share vehicles, offering free credits for their usage to apartment buyers.

Opting for car sharing instead of purchasing a private vehicle is not only a more sustainable choice but also more cost-effective, especially for individuals who use cars infrequently. (7)

Car Renting:

An alternative approach to owning, sharing, or carpooling is to rent a car when you need it. Even if it’s used only once a week, the environmental footprint would be considerably lower, because your portion of the manufacturing-related footprint is significantly reduced.

Buying or converting a car

• When you’re in the process of purchasing a new car, consider opting for a fully electric, hybrid petrol-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle as this will contribute to reducing your carbon emissions.

• If you’re in the market for a new or used car (petrol or diesel), it’s recommended to select a fuel-efficient model. Check the Fuel Consumption Label or use the Green Vehicle Guide to compare options.

• Another option is to convert your vehicle to use alternative fuels with less pollution levels compared to diesel or petrol, e.g. high ethanol fuel, biodiesel, or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) However, while these conversions can offer some environmental benefits, the actual impact may be limited, and the costs significant (around $3,000–$5,000 for LPG conversions). For more information on these fuels, check out YourHome – References and additional reading. (7)

Ride an e-bike

Electric-assist bicycles and bike share schemes make travelling longer distances and using bikes for everyday transportation more convenient for many people.

E-bikes are bicycles with an electric motor and rechargeable battery pack that provide additional power to assist the rider. The motor engages when the speed decreases below a specific level and disengages at higher speeds for safety. Certain e-bikes have a throttle, eliminating the need for pedalling, while others offer pedal-assist acceleration. Additionally, regular bicycles can be transformed into electric ones using conversion kits. (7)

E-bike rental is now available in many major cities of Australia from companies like Lime and Beam. Search what’s available in your local area.

Electric vehicles

Why electric vehicles?

In terms of health, driving electric vehicles (EVs) in urban areas would significantly decrease the adverse effects of air pollution. Research conducted in the United Kingdom revealed that if onequarter of all trips related to dental services relied on electric vehicles, its society would prevent the emission of more than 68 tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 1.6 tonnes of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) annually. This change would also lead to a reduction in health-related expenses by more than £3.6 million per year. (14)

However, it is important to understand that reliance on coal for generating the electricity needed to operate an electric car produces significant carbon emissions. (15) Using renewable energy sources to recharge an electric vehicle will significantly reduce the overall impact. (6) See Section 3c. Buy or generate renewable energy.

With the increasing shift towards renewable energy sources in many countries, electric cars are anticipated to become more environmentally friendly, resulting in further reductions in carbon emissions. (16,6)

A final point to consider, a 2018 study concluded that, apart from carbon emissions, electric cars perform worse than fossil fuel-based cars in all other factors such as resource depletion, photochemical formation, acidification, human toxicity, and particulate matter. (15) Reducing the need to travel by private transport, and using alternatives such as active and public transport, is the best way to reduce travel-based carbon emissions.

What does driving an electric vehicle (EV) look like?

Electric vehicles (EVs) come in various forms, including cars, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and scooters, and are equipped with either a primary or secondary electric motor. If they are plugin EVs, they can be recharged using mains electricity and potentially at home, depending on the availability of a suitable charging facility.7 There are three main types of EVs:

• plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that combine electric and petrol power,

• battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that run solely on electricity, and

• hydrogen vehicles that rely on hydrogen fuel cells.

The range of an electric vehicle depends on the size of its battery. In 2018, new models were offering driving ranges of 270 to 600 kilometres on a single charge. With advancements in technology, these ranges are continuously increasing.

In the future, electric vehicles (EVs) could charge themselves and supply power to your home. By charging the EV during off-peak hours or using solar energy, you can save money on peak electricity by using the EV to power your household. As bi-directional home chargers become more affordable, this practice may become more popular. (7)

Electric vehicles in Australia

Did you know that legislation titled The Electric Car Discount Bill was passed in 2022 to promote the adoption of electric vehicles? This law offers a tax exemption on fringe benefits for electric vehicles provided by employers to their employees. For an electric vehicle valued at $50,000, this translates to a $9,000 benefit for the employer or a $4,700 benefit for the employee through a salary sacrificing arrangement.

Practice owners could consider offering salary sacrificing arrangements to dentists and staff as a proactive means of allowing more affordable financing and adoption of EVs. (17)

Reduce your emissions when driving

The environmental impact of your vehicle can be influenced not just by the type of vehicle you drive, but also by your driving habits, and the conditions in which you drive. (18) The Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide provides a range of information and tips on how you can drive to reduce your emissions with your fossil fuel-based vehicle, including:

• Minimise your vehicle use

• Travel light

• Service your vehicle regularly

• Monitor speed and acceleration

• Reduce fuel wasted in idling

• Minimise aerodynamic drag

• Look after your vehicle’s tyres

• Drive in high gear. (18)

Travel Policies and local government planning

If access to active and public transport options is a challenge for your practice staff and patients, you can urge your local council to focus on supporting sustainable transport planning by:

• Advocating for improved accessibility and reliability of public transportation services.

• Pushing for the development of secure infrastructure to store bicycles and scooters.

• Suggesting increasing park and ride facilities to alleviate traffic congestion.

• Advocating for affordable transport costs. (7)

How?

Actions

  • When buying a new car consider opting for a fully electric, hybrid petrol-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle to reduce your carbon emissions

  • If you’re purchasing a new fossil fuel-based car, use the Green Vehicle Guide to compare emissions, check the fuel consumption label, and learn how to use your car efficiently

  • Consider converting your vehicle to use alternative fuels with less pollution levels compared to diesel or petrol, e.g. high ethanol fuel, biodiesel, or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas)

  • Practice owners could consider offering salary sacrificing arrangements to dentists and staff as a proactive means of allowing more affordable financing and adoption of EVs

  • Discuss lift sharing, carpooling, car sharing or renting instead of using and purchasing a private vehicle with staff

  • Provide secure storage facilities for bicycles and e-bicycles such as bike racks or bike storage lockers

  • Liaise with suppliers and dental laboratories to reduce the number of deliveries and promote sustainable delivery methods. (See Section 2 – Equipment and Supplies.)

  • Review the Australian Government’s Green Vehicle Guide for tips on how you can drive to reduce your emissions with a fossil fuel-based vehicle

  • Advocate to your local council for:

- Improved accessibility and reliability of public transportation services;

- Development of secure infrastructure to store bicycles and scooters;

- Increased park and ride facilities to alleviate traffic congestion;

- Dedicated car sharing bays for services like GoGet or Flexicar. 

1c. How to: Install Electric vehicle charging points

Why is it important?

Fuel-burning vehicles release emissions into the atmosphere which are harmful to the environment and our health. A study has found that electric vehicles emit half the carbon emissions of diesel vehicles. (7)

Providing electric vehicle charging points at your dental practice promotes the message of sustainability and can encourage staff and patients who travel by car to think about using an electric/hybrid vehicle.

What does a sustainable practice look like?

An electric car charger can be installed at your practice if there is access to a mains power supply, like in a garage or driveway. It is recommended to install a dedicated power circuit for EV charging to enhance safety and reduce charging time.

It's usually more cost-effective to include this in the initial electrical budget of a new construction or extension, rather than adding it later.

Remember that using renewable energy sources to recharge an electric vehicle will significantly reduce its overall impact. For more information on sourcing renewable energy at your practice, see Section 3c. Buy or generate renewable energy. (7)

Your EV charger located at the practice is an excellent way of demonstrating to the community your commitment to sustainability, and even attracting new patients!

Although most electric vehicle charging currently takes place at home, the number of public charging stations in Australia is on the rise. This expansion of public charging infrastructure offers more options for recharging electric vehicles outside of the home, particularly during travel. Various websites and apps, such as the Electric Vehicle Council map and the PlugShare app, provide comprehensive lists of EV charging stations in Australia and worldwide.

Real-life examples

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has advised it will provide $871,000 to Intellihub to install 50 electric vehicle (EV) chargers in New South Wales (NSW) to cater to drivers who don’t have off-street parking. These chargers will be placed on roadside power poles to enable EV drivers who live in unit blocks, townhouses, etc who don't have access to an EV charger in their homes to charge their vehicles.

Origin Energy has committed to providing 100% GreenPower for the project. This means that all the energy needed to charge the vehicles will come from certified renewable sources, meaning no additional carbon emissions will be generated as a result of using them.

The goal of the trial is to demonstrate that regulatory frameworks do not hinder the use of existing electrical infrastructure to power EV chargers and to show the effect that the EV chargers have on existing electricity networks. (19)

Modelled example

Sam is a dental assistant at a rural dental practice in NSW. Her commute to work from home takes 40 minutes by car and would take over 90 minutes if using public transport. She has recently bought a new ‘plug-in-hybrid’ to replace and upgrade her old petrol car, which was becoming too expensive to run.

She joined the dental practice a year ago whilst the practice was having electric vehicle charging points installed. There are two charging points available in the front driveway of the practice for use by staff and patients.

Sam can leave her car to charge during the day whilst she is at work, or even just during her lunch break. Being in a rural location, many patients can only easily access the practice by car. Patients with electric vehicles are pleased they can charge their cars during their appointment and many are enquiring about the charging points.

The practice reception provides information about electric vehicles and charging points, including leaflets and links from the supplying company and also from a local electric car dealership with whom the practice has liaised, which often has promotions.

How?

Actions

  • Liaise with car manufacturers and companies who provide electric vehicle charging point installation to receive more information about the feasibility of installation at your practice

  • Provide electric vehicle charging points at your dental practice to encourage staff and patients who travel by car to think about using an electric/hybrid vehicle

  • Consider installing a dedicated power circuit for EV charging to enhance safety and reduce charging time

  • Try to ensure your charging station is powered by renewable energy. For more information see Section 3. Energy

  • If your practice does not have a car park, liaise with your local council to install charging points in public car parks nearby

  • Display information regarding the benefits of electric vehicle use in the practice and where the nearest charging points are located

  • Encourage providers of services, such as your dental laboratory, to switch to using an electric vehicle

References

1. National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Quarterly Update: September 2022 (2023) DCCEEW. (Accessed: 30 May 2023).

2. Transport – Fact Sheet 6 (2021) Climate Change Authority. (Accessed: 30 May 2023).

3. Vehicle emissions (no date) Green Vehicle Guide. (Accessed:31 May 2023).

4. Carbon modelling within dentistry. Towards a sustainable future (2018), cited in Duane, B., ed., 2022. Planning the Location, Skills Mix and Method of Delivery of Care, and Reducing Your Travel Emissions for Sustainable Dentistry. In: Sustainable Dentistry. Making a Difference. Cham: Springer Nature, pp.
157-173.

5. Duane, B. et al. (2019) cited in Duane, B., ed., 2022. Planning the Location, Skills Mix and Method of Delivery of Care, and Reducing Your Travel Emissions for Sustainable Dentistry. In: Sustainable Dentistry. Making a Difference. Cham: Springer Nature, pp. 157-173.

6. Duane, B., ed. (2022) Planning the Location, Skills Mix and Method of Delivery of Care, and Reducing Your Travel Emissions for Sustainable Dentistry. In: Sustainable Dentistry. Making a Difference. Cham: Springer Nature, pp. 157-173.

7. Transport (2020) YourHome. (Accessed: 29 May 2023).

8. Harford, S. et al. (2019) Sustainable dentistry how-to guide: Travel, Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. (Accessed: Mar 23, 2023).

9. Yu, A. (2023) Thousands of Australians are dying prematurely from traffic pollution, according to climate research modelling, ABC News. (Accessed: 25 May 2023).

10. Waidyatillake, N.T. et al. (2021) ‘Particulate matter and premature mortality: A Bayesian metaanalysis’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), p. 7655.doi:10.3390/ijerph18147655.

11. Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) (2022) Road Trauma Australia 2022 statistical summary. Canberra, ACT: Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE).

12. Harford, S. et al. (2019) Sustainable dentistry how-to guide: Travel, Centre for Sustainable Healthcare. (Accessed: Mar 23, 2023).

13. Climate Council, (2018), cited in Transport (2020) YourHome. (Accessed: 29 May 2023).

14. Duane et al., 2019, cited in Duane, B., ed., 2022. Planning the Location, Skills Mix and Method of Delivery of Care, and Reducing Your Travel Emissions for Sustainable Dentistry. In: Sustainable Dentistry. Making a Difference. Cham: Springer Nature, pp. 157-173.

15. Pero 2018, cited in Duane, B., ed., 2022. Planning the Location, Skills Mix and Method of Delivery of Care, and Reducing Your Travel Emissions for Sustainable Dentistry. In: Sustainable Dentistry. Making a Difference. Cham: Springer Nature, pp. 157-173.

16. Pero, F.D., Delogu, M. and Pierini, M. (2018) ‘Life cycle assessment in the automotive sector: A comparative case study of internal combustion engine (ICE) and Electric Car’, Procedia Structural Integrity, 12, pp. 521–537. doi:10.1016/j.prostr.2018.11.066.

17. Tax Cut for electric vehicles passes Parliament (no date) Tax cut for electric vehicles passes Parliament | Treasury Ministers. (Accessed: 06 June 2023).

18. Reducing your emissions (no date a) Green Vehicle Guide. Driving Better Choices. (Accessed: 02 June 2023).

19. Intellihub trial for urban street-side EV charging (2022) energy.gov.au. (Accessed: 05 June 2023).