Multilevel Challenges and Solutions in Embedding the SDG Principals into the Dental Student Curriculum, Dublin

Authors:
Margit Hågå, Anne M. Gussgard, Asbjørn Jokstad
Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway

Abstract:

Background: As the environmental crisis escalates, embedding the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into dental education is becoming increasingly urgent. However, efforts to integrate these goals face challenges, both logistical and cultural, on multiple organizational levels.

Aims: This project examines both the obstacles and viable strategies for integrating SDGs principles into dental undergraduate education at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, drawing on environmental waste audits and sustainability research in clinical dentistry.

Methods: Ongoing activities aim to integrate global health perspectives through curriculum co-creation and interdisciplinary debates, specifically targeting content related to SDGs 3, 12, and 13. In parallel, findings from Hågå’s work on waste at dental student clinics in Bergen and Tromsø, underscore the magnitude of clinical waste: over 90% of waste from routine dental procedures consisted of plastic, with up to 62 gloves and 8 plastic cups used per patient. These insights stimulate curriculum changes that emphasize life cycle thinking, clinical efficiency, and circular economy principles.

Results: Students report increased awareness of and engagement with sustainability. Waste audits conducted in our patient clinic have prompted reflection on clinical practices, highlighting the overuse of disposable items and the limited recycling. A targeted reduction in plastic use and waste amounts is anticipated, supported by simulations, student-led projects, and collaboration with clinical staff. Barriers such as rigid infection control standards and procurement policies remain, requiring institutional support. Collaborative support has been obtained from both the Norwegian Dental Association and the industry.

Conclusion: By integrating sustainability education with clinical practice, we propose solutions for reforming dental curricula. Incorporating case-based examples, such as those from Hågå’s research, bridges the gap between academic learning and environmental responsibility, empowering future dentists to act as agents of change in a climate-challenged world.