Mahesh Verma
BDS, MDS, MBA, FDSRCS (Eng), FDSRCPS (Glasgow),
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India
INDIA
Session 4 · DAY 1 (Nov. 5, 2026) · 11:45–12:15 CET
Net Zero Dentistry: Can We Build Carbon-Smart Dental Practices?
Abstract
Sustainability is rapidly becoming a defining priority in healthcare, and dentistry has an important role in supporting global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Dental practices generate environmental impacts through energy consumption, procurement, sterilization, travel, single-use materials, laboratory procedures, and biomedical waste. Achieving net-zero dentistry requires a shift from isolated green initiatives to embedding sustainability across every aspect of clinical practice, education, and research.
This presentation will explore the principles of carbon-smart dental practice and discuss practical strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of oral healthcare without compromising patient safety or quality of care. Key areas will include preventive and minimal intervention dentistry, digital workflows, sustainable procurement, energy-efficient infrastructure, responsible waste management, and resource-conscious clinical decision-making. The presentation will also highlight the role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in improving efficiency, optimizing resource utilization, and supporting more sustainable models of dental care.
By integrating environmental responsibility with clinical excellence, carbon-smart dentistry can strengthen the resilience of oral healthcare systems while contributing to global climate goals. Advancing net-zero dentistry is not only an environmental imperative but also an opportunity to create a more efficient, innovative, and patient-centred future for the profession.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the major contributors to the carbon footprint of dental practice and understand their impact on environmental sustainability.
- Evaluate practical strategies—including preventive care, digital workflows, sustainable procurement, and resource-efficient practice management—to develop carbon-smart dental practices.
- Apply the principles of sustainable and net-zero dentistry to integrate environmentally responsible practices into clinical care while maintaining patient safety, quality, and operational efficiency.
Biography
Vice Chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India Prof. Mahesh Verma is Vice Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and former Dean of Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi. He has served as Chairman of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).
Recipient of India’s highest medical honor—the Dr. B.C. Roy Award (2007), Padma Shri (2014), and Science & Technology Award (2020). Internationally recognized with the Elmer S. Best Memorial Award (Pierre Fauchard Academy, USA) and Global Oral Health Progress Award, he is a Fellow of multiple Royal Colleges and Honorary Member of the ADA and BDA.