Sustainability

Odontoprev´s sustainability vision / CDP & U.N. Global Compact Reports

Environmental actions

Conscious Consumption

Odontoprev acts on two fronts regarding conscious consumption, focused on both its employees and the accredited network. The Company carries out internal awareness campaigns on energy and water consumption, use of materials, such as paper, and the proper disposal of waste. In relation to its accredited network, the Company is concerned with the use of X-ray materials and thus developed a technology that allows uploads of X-ray images.

In 2022, with regard to conscious consumption, we recorded a reduction in the use of electricity and a continuous drop in water consumption.

Carbon neutralization

Since 2008 Odontoprev counts on the support of an environmental consulting firm specialized in monitoring carbon emission from energy consumption, employees commuting (by road or by air), fleet fuel and hauling. Based on calculations, such consulting firm verifies the necessary amount of trees to be sowed and planted to neutralize the equivalent carbon.

In 2019, the Company’s emissions totaled 996 tons of CO2 (Scopes 1, 2 and 3). In 2020, Odontoprev began studies to estimate historical emissions from operations since its foundation. In 2021, it became the first healthcare provider with 100% of its emissions neutralized with the Carbon Neutral Project. And in 2022, we continue to neutralize 100% of our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions through carbon credits.

Waste Management

Odontoprev manages its solid waste, which allows for the appropriate disposal of such waste, monitor the volume of solid waste generated by the Company, and establish a reduction plan. The waste is forwarded to an outsourced company for recycling and inventory analysis. The specialized company hired for this service has the Cadri (Certificate of Environmental Waste Transportation) certification duly updated. This certificate is issued by Cetesb (São Paulo State’s Environmental Authority), which approves the transportation of environmental waste for reprocessing, storage, treatment or to final disposal sites.

Amalgam Recycling Program

Amalgam is a material consisting of heavy and toxic metals, including mercury and silver, used by dentists to fill cavities caused by tooth decays. If disposed off inappropriately, amalgam can contaminate people and nature. Aware of the importance of recycling this material, Odontoprev maintains a partnership with University of São Paulo (USP) and with the accredited network of dentists for the development of new technology to recycle amalgam.

The project involves negotiation with government health and environment agencies, such as São Paulo State’s Environmental Authority (Cetesb), Research and Measurement Institute (Ipem) and São Paulo’s Health Secretariat. In addition, amalgam packaging and transport are special and certified by the Technology Research Institute (IPT).

Since the beginning of the project, in 2005, around 3,100 accredited dentists have joined the initiative and already forwarded 18 kg of amalgam, from which approximately 8 kg of mercury and silver could be recovered.

Beach cleaning

In 2022, we launched the “Clean Waves Expedition on the Road”. An innovative project, in line with the Decade of the Ocean declared by the UN. In partnership with Sea Shepherd Brasil, the Brazilian unit of the largest non-profit organization for the protection of marine life and the ocean in the world, we have developed a expedition that seeks to map the profile of marine litter from the entire coastal and underwater region of Brazil to generate scientific data.

The project will last approximately 18 months, carrying out scientific research on 300 beaches, covering the entire Brazilian coast.

Along the way, in line with our purpose, we offer free dental treatment to groups of collectors from local cooperatives and promote awareness and environmental education, encouraging the correct behavior of populations for the preservation of the marine ecosystem.

The study is based on a methodology developed and validated by the Institute of Oceanography. At the end of 2022, we completed more than 50% of the project, 50 cleanup efforts were carried out, where we managed to get about half a hectare of area thoroughly analyzed for microplastics, 3 kilometers of beaches analyzed for macro residues, and 150 samples of sand for the study of toxicity.

Social Actions

As social policy, Odontoprev seeks to offer society, especially the underprivileged, oral health care quality through associations, institutes and foundations with recognized credibility, which target their efforts to support / help underprivileged children.

Regarding the internal public, Odontoprev values the diversity of its workforce and to offer these opportunities for growth within the Company.

Friends of the future action

Though this initiative, Odontoprev aims to help charitable partner institutions or create projects focused on dental health to underprivileged children. In 2019, the Company supported 20 institutions in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which currently serve 6,800 underprivileged children.

In 2022, we supported more than 20 institutions, directly and indirectly impacting more than 40,000 people.

Continued Assistance Program

Consists of offering dental care to underprivileged children through our accredited network. The beneficiary child receives an Odontoprev associate card and is guaranteed dental and orthodontic assistance until he/she reaches the age of majority or while participating in NGO partner projects. The card does not make reference to the Program, guaranteeing care without any kind of discrimination.

In 2022, we promoted a screening for children and adolescents with the aim of directing them to free dental treatment. In all, more than 2,000 people were directed to dental treatment.

Institutions supported in specific projects

Odontoprev financially supports various associations, institutes and foundations with recognized credibility, which target efforts to support / help underprivileged children.

Among these investments, we can highlight: the maintenance budget for the Ronald McDonald Institute, a partnership with the Gol de Letra – SP and RJ, APAE Sao Paulo, C. Despertar Association Jude Miriam / Vl Pedreira, Educação Boa Vontade (LBV) Institute, among others.

Prevention campaigns

These are campaigns that inform on the importance of good oral hygiene in the prevention of oral health problems. Through playful activities that teach the right way to brush your teeth, these campaign focus on children and teenagers in communities served by Odontoprev.

In 2022, dentists held a conversation about oral health and the importance of prevention, involving young people and children, who also participated in games.

We also have, in partnership with “A.C. Camargo Cancer Center” since 2017, the program that seeks early diagnosis of oral cancer and which is among the ten types with the highest incidence in Brazil.

Actions for employees