With many businesses and professions realising the need to ‘go green’ and become more eco-friendly, it is no surprise that dentistry should follow suit.

Eight years ago, Fred Pockrass a dentist in California decided in partnership with his lawyer wife, Ina to open the State’s first green dentist practice; they use practices and procedures which take the environment into account. What’s more, it is popular with their patients.

At a meeting of the Green Biz Group’s State of Green Business Forum, Ina Pockrass said: “When we say ‘green dentistry’ we know what you hear Birkenstock-wearing-incense-burning-commie-pinko-leftist.” But Ina rejects this.

She added: “Ten years ago, if you told me we were going to transform dentistry, I would have thought you were crazy.

“We created a business model that placed our dental office in the top 5 percent of the nation.”

Since the launch of their green practice, eco friendly dentistry has grown tremendously offering patients and dentists alike a new way without it devastating scarce resources.

It even spawned new associations such as the Eco Dentistry Association in 2088. The couple believe many of the current practices are also very dangerous to both people and the environment. Risks identified include conventional x-rays, certain sterilisation practices and use of barriers, suction machines and mercury waste from fillings.

Eco dentistry by contrast proposes using techniques that save water and energy and makes use of high tech facilities which enhance people’s personal health and well being.