IMPORTÂNCIA DA ODONTOLOGIA SUSTENTÁVEL NA INTERFACE SAÚDE/AMBIENTE / IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE DENTISTRY IN HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT INTERFACE

Introducao : A dicotomia entre o ser humano e a natureza esta, cada vez mais, sendo abordada pela comunidade cientifica em meio aos riscos ecologicos globais. Para a sustentabilidade de seus trabalhos, as organizacoes necessitam incluir atencao a qualidade do meio ambiente e para uma gestao em saude com enfoque ambiental para conhecer os aspectos e impactos ambientais que as atividades do setor podem ocasionar ao meio ambiente. A pratica odontologica abrange uma gama de atividades e de interfaces que interagem nao somente com o processo saude-doenca bucal, como tambem com os aspectos e impactos ambientais. Objetivo : Verificar o andamento cientifico em torno da dicotomia saude/ambiente caracterizando a odontologia sustentavel com seus modos de manejo de residuos de forma a minimizar os impactos causados ao meio. Conclusao : Apesar dos residuos produzidos pela classe odontologica terem potencial para causar grandes impactos ambientais, ha pouca preocupacao por parte do governo, das Instituicoes de Ensino Superior e dos profissionais com o manejo desses residuos. E importante que haja mais estudos e conscientizacao dos profissionais sobre as formas de minimizar tais impactos, o que possibilitara a inclusao da classe odontologica no constante interesse com a sustentabilidade, em vista a formacao de uma consciencia coletiva sobre a preservacao do ambiente. Palavras-chave : Meio Ambiente e Saude Publica. Desenvolvimento Sustentavel. Residuos de Servicos de Saude. Abstract Introduction : The dichotomy between humans and nature has been increasingly focused by the scientific community in the midst of global ecological risks. For the sustainability of their work, the Organizations need to include attention to the quality of the environment and health management using an environmental approach. It is also important to know the environmental aspects and impacts that the sector activities may cause to the environment. The dental practice includes a range of activities and interfaces that interact not only with the health-disease process, but also with the environmental aspects and impacts. Objective : Thus, the purpose of this review was to assess the scientific progress around the dichotomy health/environment, characterizing the sustainable dentistry with its types of waste management in order to minimize the impacts to the environment. Conclusion : Although the waste produced by the dental profession has the potential to cause major environmental impacts, there is little concern of the Government, Institutions of Higher Education and dentistry professionals about the management of these wastes. More researches and professional awareness about ways to minimize such impacts are important. All these actions will make possible to include the dental profession in the constant of world interest to sustainability in order to form a collective awareness about the preservation of the environment. Keywords : Environment and Public Health. Sustainable Development. Medical Waste.