Cleaning out your closets. Fun times!

It's used to be a popular phrase to announce you were going to do a little "Spring cleaning". You know, that dreaded time of year you committed to going through your closets to see what needed to be rearranged or donated. What still fit, what didn't. I can't say those were ever fun times for me, but I must confess to you that I LOVE clean closets! It's not just how they look when you open the closet door, it's how I actually feel when the clutter is cleaned out of my closet and my life.

So, I challenged myself to bring that attitude to work with me this month (and it's not even Springtime!). I committed to going through just one "closet" draw of mine and I'm very thankful I did. I took on the dreaded "lost or broken instrument draw." You  know, the one you inherited 10 years ago when you began working in that operatory. The one you continually add too when a instrument tip breaks or just isn't one of your favorites anymore.

I discovered I could easily donate those instruments back to the supply company I ordered from. Check with your sales rep. They have different instrument offers that will allow you to turn in a certain number of old instruments in exchange for a few free or discounted instruments. Check with your co-workers before you do this though. You never know, they could be needing what you want to donate. Reduce, reuse, recycle......just keep it sterile :)

As my world turns, I got so excited about cleaning out my instrument drawer that I even tackled a part of my personal life as well, my uniform closet. How many of us have old uniform scrubs that we don't wear anymore? I know I do. Why not consider donating them to Goodwill? Check online for uniform donating opportunities. I've even cut up some of my cleaned scrubs and turned them into quilt tops to be donated.

Remember sustainability is simple. It can begin with one closet at a time. People. Planet. Profit. Anytime (not just Springtime) is the right time to make the world we live in a better place to live.

Sending a smile
Judy

Product duplication. Let me say it again, product duplication!

Evaluating your supply shelves for product duplications can really jump start your commitment to sustainable dental practices. Journey with me to your dental supply cabinet where you may find, as I did, a few duplicate items that needed some accountability.

As a courtesy to our patients we give away free samples of different products.  When I began evaluating these products, I realized I stocked several items that produced almost the same end result.  Unfortunately, this product duplication created more strain on our supply budget.  Instead of ordering one product in bulk which reduces costs and packaging waste, we were ordering small quantities of different products. This scenario did not look favorable held up to our sustainability equation of people, planet and profit.

After careful evaluation I challenged myself to choose one product, in each take home category, as a free sample to my patients. I still inform the patient of the other products, I just no longer have them all in the office. This action is really working in our dental office. Patients are being served. Our profit isn't being strained and less waste is being dumped onto our planet. 

They say every thing in life begins by taking the first step. So join me in taking one step at a time, and not duplicating your footprint!

Sending a smile,

Judy