Unmasking the hidden pandemic: sustainability in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen disruptions to almost all aspects of society, and the environment will not be left unaffected. With increased personal protective equipment (PPE) provisions in dental settings, plastic consumption and disposal are likely to increase significantly. This poses the risk of an environmental crisis from increased pollution if the production and disposal of plastic-based PPE products are not managed effectively. Learning from natural disaster management approaches and past crises, we must align our short-term goals of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with our long-term vision for environmentally conscious action. Sustainable activity will underpin a successful response to our current health crisis.