The paper titled "The Global Burden of Plastics in Oral Health: Prospects for Circularity, Sustainable Materials Development, and Practice" championed by Jason Y. C. Lim and Vinicius Rosa has been chosen as the cover art for RSC Sustainability.
Cover art published in RSC Sustainability
The paper addresses the pervasive use of plastics in dental applications and the urgent need to tackle their unsustainable disposal. Plastics, highly valued for their versatility and durability, have become integral to dental practices worldwide. However, the short lifespan of many plastic products in dentistry contributes to a staggering amount of waste. With insights into the sources and scale of this issue, the paper offers a comprehensive examination of material and practical interventions to curb plastic wastage. From exploring alternative sustainable polymers to advocating for sustainable plastic usage strategies, the paper presents a roadmap towards a circular economy in dental plastics, ultimately aiming to reduce the environmental impact of modern dentistry.