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Sustainability in dentistry

Dentistry in a changing world: from inertia to action

British Dental Journal volume 239, pages 559–560 (2025)Cite this article

Key points

  • Presents new ways of thinking and working for dentistry in a changing world.

  • Agreed terminology and a common understanding of concepts of sustainable dentistry are shown.

  • Offers a clear shift away from an exclusively illness-orientated model. These definitions support a more holistic, salutogenic approach to health.

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References

  1. United Nations Environment Programme. A global foresight report on planetary health and human wellbeing. 2024. Available at https://www.unep.org/resources/global-foresight-report (accessed 1 October 2025).

  2. Hackley D M. Climate change and oral health. Int Dent J 2021; 71: 173–177.

  3. Pimentel J M, Carrasco-Labra A, Lytvyn L, Alalyani A, Glick M. Patient values and preferences: a path to better shared decision-making. J Am Dent Assoc 2025; DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2025.05.014.

  4. Albreht T, Marchandise C, Abitbol S et al. From reaction to foresight: EUPHA's vision for health security in Europe. Eur J Public Health 2025; 35: 588–590.

  5. Fisher J, Matanhire-Zihanzu C, Buse K. A new approach to oral health can lead to healthier societies. BMJ 2024; DOI: 10.1136/bmj.q925.

  6. World Health Organization. Global strategy and action plan on oral health 2023–2030. 2024. Available at https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/376623/9789240090538-eng.pdf?sequence=1 (accessed 1 August 2025).

  7. Glick M, Williams D M, Kleinman D V, Vujicic M, Watt R G, Weyant R J. A new definition for oral health developed by the FDI World Dental Federation opens the door to a universal definition of oral health. J Am Dent Assoc 2016; 147: 915–917.

  8. Glick M. Embracing the need for a Whole Health Home. J Am Dent Assoc 2024; 155: 907–909.

  9. Fisher J, Berman R, Buse K et al. Achieving oral health for all through public health approaches, interprofessional, and transdisciplinary education. NAM Perspect 2023; DOI: 10.31478/202302b.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Director, Oral and Planetary Health Policies, Center for Integrative Global Oral Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, USA

    Julian Fisher

  2. Fields-Rayant Professor, Executive Director, Center for Integrative Global Oral Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, USA

    Michael Glick

Authors
  1. Julian Fisher
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  2. Michael Glick
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Julian Fisher or Michael Glick.

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Cite this article

Fisher, J., Glick, M. Dentistry in a changing world: from inertia to action. Br Dent J 239, 559–560 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-9290-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-025-9290-2

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