Smile Together Dental CIC is a community interest company providing dental care across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. As a social enterprise, the organisation combines clinical delivery with a strong focus on community wellbeing and responsible practice.
Operating across multiple sites, Smile Together delivers essential healthcare services while managing the environmental impact associated with clinical operations, facilities and supply chains.
Smile Together required a compliant Carbon Reduction Plan aligned with PPN 006, alongside full measurement of Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions. The organisation needed to establish a formal baseline year, improve data coverage across operations and supply chain, and define a clear pathway toward Net Zero. The plan also needed to align with NHS expectations, including the Evergreen Framework, and support wider ESG commitments.
Carbon Sense worked with Smile Together to establish 2024/2025 as the formal baseline year, reflecting a more complete and reliable dataset across all relevant emissions categories .
Emissions were measured in line with the GHG Protocol, covering Scope 1 and 2 emissions, alongside key Scope 3 categories including Purchased Goods and Services, Business Travel, Employee Commuting, Waste and Water.
The Carbon Reduction Plan documented both existing progress and future actions. Completed initiatives included hybrid working, LED lighting upgrades, reduced business travel, improved clinical waste segregation and the continued rollout of digital, paperless systems.
Forward planning focused on practical, achievable measures, including renewable electricity procurement, EV fleet transition, supplier engagement for low-carbon clinical consumables, and improvements to building energy performance.
The plan was structured to meet national reporting standards and to integrate carbon management into governance, procurement and operational decision-making.
Smile Together now has a compliant and board-level Carbon Reduction Plan aligned with PPN 006 and NHS sustainability frameworks.
A clear baseline has been established, enabling consistent tracking of emissions and progress toward a 50% reduction by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050.
The organisation is better positioned to manage emissions across its operations and supply chain, meet procurement and reporting expectations, and embed sustainability within day-to-day healthcare delivery.
The plan also provides a practical framework for ongoing improvements in energy use, travel, procurement and clinical operations.
