Current Practice, Barriers and Drivers to Embedding Environmental Sustainability in Undergraduate Dental Schools in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Aims: This study aimed to (i) identify current teaching practice and approaches to embedding Environmental Sustainability (ES) in the undergraduate dental curriculum in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI) and (ii) uncover existing barriers and drivers to incorporating ES in dental education. 

Methods: A questionnaire was developed and distributed to all dental schools in the UK and ROI in the form of an online survey. The intended respondents were Deans, Heads of Schools, Directors of Education or senior academics of all dental schools in the UK and ROI that deliver undergraduate Dentistry/Dental Surgery programmes.

Results: 18 dental schools responded to the survey, representing a response rate of 100% from the intended respondents. 56% of dental schools do not currently teach ES. Time constraints and a lack of knowledge and learning resources were the most reported barriers. 

Conclusion: Currently, ES is not taught in most dental schools in the UK and ROI. Many schools face challenges in finalising the delivery modalities of ES teaching, particularly in clinical environments. Numerous barriers have been identified that complicate embedding this topic in the curriculum. Positively, universities, staff, students, and the recently implemented learning outcomes are driving impactful change across the sector. 

This study received ethical approval from the Dentistry Ethics Committee of the University of Sheffield (application number 056060)