Dental Waste Research Articles

Evaluation of the Quality, Quantity and Management of Dental Waste in 4 Dental Clinics of Tehran City

Evaluation of the Quality, Quantity and Management of Dental Waste in 4 Dental Clinics of Tehran City

Assessment of dental waste production rate and management in Sari, Iran

Abstract Abstract Abstract Dental offices produce a variety of dangerous wastes during normal business day. Most of these waste are non- hazardous that can be managed as household wastes; however, some component are hazardous and can pose a risk to human and the environment if discarded to Municipal Solid Wastes. These types of wastes must be managed separately. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the component and production rate of dental waste in Sari city, northern of Iran in 2011-2012. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 64 private dental practices from 146 available dental clinics in Sari city using a checklist and questionnaires which contain 25 questions and items. Dental wastes were weighed to determined qualitative and quantitative analysis. The data were analyzed using SPSS and MS-Excel. The results indicated that 77% of produced wastes were non-hazardous. The acceptable level management was observed only in 3.7% offices. The most desirable element management was accurate collecting (30.88%) in these offices. In general, it can be concluded that there is no proper management of wastes in dental centers of Sari. The mercury recycling is required for optimal management of dental waste. Furthermore, the dentists' education must be takes place to perform the management activities including reduction, separation and recycling inside the office.

Waste management from dental care in the health districts of Dakar, Senegal

Management of medical waste is becoming an increasing public health concerns, especially as these waste treatment methods can themselves create both health and environmental risks. The objective of the study was to evaluate the management of waste from dental care in Dakar. A cross-sectional, descriptive study of dental services in Dakar, based on a questionnaire was used to determine the knowledge and attitudes of dentists on the management of dental waste. All practitioners stated that their offices had waste bins, 81.2% using plastic bags; 73.2% reported that the bins were washed and disinfected an average of once a day. Only 7.2% of the offices or facilities had an autoclave, and 5.8% an incinerator. Three quarters of the respondents did not know how to dispose of contaminated waste and none of them had conducted a study to estimate the quantity of their departmental waste. The management of waste from dental care is not structured in Senegal nor in most developing countries. Moreover, the gaps and ineffectiveness of legislation result in major threats to public health and the environment. The government should focus, among other things, on stakeholder awareness and training, by providing facilities with the resources necessary to contribute to sustainable development through the management of dental waste.

Management of Dental Radiographic Waste

AbstractRadiographs are used by the dentists for the diagnosis, and/or treatment of patients in the majority of the cases. These radiographs have become a third eye to the dentist. Even with the advent of digital imaging there are a large number of dental offices that use conventional methods to obtain the radiographic images. Unfortunately, the conventional radiographic procedures generate certain substances that present as potential challenge to the environment. Although individual dentists generate only small amount of environmentally hazardous wastes, the accumulated waste produced by the profession may have a significant environmental impact, which in turn may pose a risk to the human health. Thus, it becomes extremely important for the proper disposal of materials originated from conventional radiographic methods, in order to minimize the negative environmental impact. This paper addresses the environmental impact of dental radiographic waste and describes measures that can be taken by dentists and their team to reduce the production of potentially harmful wastes.

Investigation on the characteristics and management of dental waste in Urmia, Iran

The objective of this study was to identify the components, composition, generation rate and management of dental waste in Urmia, Iran. Fifteen dental centers including eight general dental offices, five specialist dental offices and two dental clinics were selected and two samples were taken from each office. Then, the wastes were manually separated in 31 components and weighted. The results showed that total dental waste generation in all general dental offices, specialist dental offices and dental clinics were 58.94, 17.92 and 10.22 kg/day, respectively. Domestic, potentially infectious, toxic and chemical and pharmaceutical waste also constituted 35.46, 34.24, 11.83 and 5.56 % of total waste, respectively. Only 11 components including blood-contaminated paper towel, saliva-contaminated paper towel, saliva-contaminated cotton, extracted teeth, blood-contaminated gauze, inseparable components, nylon glove, tongue blade, latex glove, saliva ejector and blood-contaminated cotton constituted more than 80 % of total infectious waste generation. There was no management program (waste minimization, separation, reuse and recycling) in the dental offices. Source reduction, separation, reuse and recycling activities should be conducted to decrease the hazards of dental wastes. It is also suggested that each fraction of dental waste should be separately collected and disposed in the accordance with its related criteria.

Disposing of clinical and dental waste

Disposing of clinical and dental waste

Dental solid waste characterization and management in Iran: A case study of Sistan and Baluchestan Province

The management of dental solid waste continues to be a major challenge, particularly in most healthcare facilities of the developing world. In Iran, few studies on management of dental solid waste and its composition are available. An effort has been made through this study to evaluate the hazardous and infectious status of dental solid waste, keeping in mind its possible role in cross-infection chain. For this study, 123 private dental centres and 36 public dental centres were selected and the composition and generation rate of dental solid waste produced were measured. Dental solid waste was classified to four main categories: (i) domestic-type; (ii) potentially infectious; (iii) chemical and pharmaceutical; and (iv) toxic, which constituted 11.7, 80.3, 6.3, and 1.7%, respectively, of the total. Also, the results indicated that the dental solid waste per patient per day generation rate for total, domestic-type, potentially infectious, chemical and pharmaceutical, and toxic wastes were 169.9, 8.6, 153.3, 11.2, and 3.3 g/patient/d, respectively. Furthermore, the per day generation rates for total, domestic-type, potentially infectious, chemical and pharmaceutical, and toxic wastes were 194.5, 22.6, 156.1, 12.3, and 3.4 kg/d, respectively. According to findings of this study, for best management of dental waste it is suggested that source reduction, separation, reuse, and recycling programmes be implemented and each section of dental waste be collected and disposed of separately and in accordance with related criteria.

Mercury and other biomedical waste management practices among dental practitioners in India.

Objectives. The objective of the study was to assess the awareness and performance towards dental waste including mercury management policy and practices among the dental practitioners in North India. Materials and Methods. An epidemiologic survey was conducted among 200 private dental practitioners. The survey form was composed of 29 self-administered questions frame based on knowledge, attitude, and those regarding the practices of dentists in relation to dental health-care waste management. The resulting data were coded and a statistical analysis was done. Results and Discussion. About 63.7% of the dentists were not aware of the different categories of biomedical waste generated in their clinics. Only 31.9% of the dentists correctly said that outdated and contaminated drugs come under cytotoxic waste. 46.2% said they break the needle and dispose of it and only 21.9% use needle burner to destroy it. 45.0% of the dentists dispose of the developer and fixer solutions by letting them into the sewer, 49.4% of them dilute the solutions and let them into sewer and only 5.6% return them to the supplier. About 40.6% of the dentists dispose of excess silver amalgam by throwing it into common bin. Conclusion. It was concluded that not all dentists were aware of the risks they were exposed to and only half of them observe infection control practices.

Management of Dental Waste in Private Clinics in Chhattisgarh State, India – A Cross Sectional Study

Aims: Dentistry is a profession dedicated to promoting and enhancing oral health and well-being. To accomplish these goals, dentists use a variety of materials and equipment. Unfortunately, some of the materials that are currently in use like silver amalgam, x-ray films etc. including heavy metals and biomedical waste present potential challenges to the environment. Hence the aim of the present study was to assess the management of dental waste in private clinics of Chhattisgarh state, India. Methods and Material: A self- administered questionnaire was designed and distributed among 100 practising dentists, who were private practitioners. The survey form was composed of 27 questions framed based on knowledge, attitude and those regarding the practice of dentists in relation to dental health-care waste management. Chi-square test (with Yates correction; wherever applicable) was used for analysing the factors influencing waste management practices. Results: Programs about waste management practices had significant influence on the knowledge of respondents about waste management guidelines (P value = 0.01), on application of colour coding practice for disposal of waste (P value = 0.01) and on disposal of amalgam (P value = 0.01). The knowledge about waste management guidelines has significant influence on application of colour coding practice for disposal of waste (P value < 0.0001).Conclusions: Though most dentists were aware of the hazardous effect of improper disposal of dental waste; majority of them still practiced improper waste disposal. There is need to retrain the practitioners on the importance and new technologies of proper waste disposal.

Knowledge and practice adopted by dental practitioners and dental auxiliaries regarding biomedical waste management in Pune

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and practice adopted by dental practitioners and auxiliaries regarding biomedical waste (BMW) disposal in Pune. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire study was conducted among 150 dentists, 36 nurses and 20 Class IV workers (total sample n = 206) from Pune city. A 12‑item questionnaire which was used to collect the data had questions related to BMW generation, segregation, disinfection and disposal. Results: Overall, 93.69% respondents were aware of BMW management system. Only 74.6% were registered at local governing body. Dentists who were not registered (25.3%) for BMW disposal system, disposed waste in dustbins. About 70.67% had permission from Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to generate waste. About 72% dentist practiced color‑coded waste disposal, whereas 69.4% nurses and 60% Class IV workers did not follow it. Nearly 52.9% responded that sharps should be disposed in white containers. More than 90% participants reported to have generated all types of dental waste. 52.9% of the respondents treated waste before disposing in red containers. Daily disposable of the waste at the collection center was practiced by 32.5% respondents. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the knowledge and practice regarding waste disposal was poor. Proper training, continuing education programs, and short‑term courses about BMW management and infection control procedures are required to improve the knowledge of dentists and dental auxiliaries.

A simplified model for biomedical waste management in dental practices - A pilot project at Thane, India

AbstractA lot of biomedical waste (BMW) is generated in dental practices, which can be hazardous to the environment as well as to those who come in contact with the materials, if not dealt with appropriately. Most of the rules world-wide are not specific for dental BMW management and hinder easy understanding by dental practitioners. Because of lack of clear-cut guidelines either from Dental Council of India or Government of India or Indian Dental Association (IDA) on disposal of dental wastes, this article is designed to explore and review on these issues and formulate a simplified scheme. The guidelines by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board from the directives of The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India through BMW (Management and Handling) Rules, 1998, (BMW-MH-98), similar guidelines being followed elsewhere in the world, the local BMW disposal company’s rules and the IDA’s Clinic Standardization Program guidelines. We developed and implemented a simplified waste segregation protocol for practicing dentists and dental hospitals. A methodological dental waste segregation protocol was required considering its disposal and ill-effects on health and the environment. The simplified scheme provided a good model to be followed in developing countries like India. The scheme improved understanding among dentists because of its self-explanatory nature.

Health care waste disposal among private dentist in an Indian city: It's time to act

The provision of healthcare generates waste which can be detrimental to health and environment. Staff that provide dental healthcare ought to be aware of the proper handling and the system of management of dental waste used by different dental hospitals. A survey was conducted to determine the awareness of dental practitioners on hospital generation and handling of waste. A self-administered questionnaire was used. Lack of awareness, ignorance of policy and procedure on the handling of dental healthcare waste and failure to attend educational activities were major defects found among practitioners in the study. There is a need for a plan to improve the awareness of dental healthcare workers about hospital generated waste and its proper handling.

Knowledge, awareness and practices of dental care waste management among private dental practitioners in Tricity (Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali).

Objective:The objective of this study is to assess the awareness and practices of dental care waste management among private dental practitioners in Tricity (Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali).Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 private dental practitioners selected by simple random sampling using a close-ended questionnaire.Results:Amongst the total respondents 52% were males and 48% were females. Nearly 14% of the dental practitioners were not aware of the different categories of the waste generated in their clinics and 12% of the practitioners were not aware of the color coding used to dispose the waste. About 26% of them practiced wrong measures to dispose sharps and extracted tooth respectively. A majority 32% of Dentists did not disposed outdated and expired medicines properly.Conclusion:Majority of the dental practitioners was aware of categories and color coding used for disposal of different types of wastes yet they do not follow the same in their practice. Hence, strict prosecution laws should also be imposed under biomedical waste management act for the Dentists so that it should be implemented in daily practice.

Substance flow analysis for mercury emission in Poland

Substance Flow Analysis (SFA) is an approach showing main sources of emission and flows of pollution to the environment, which allows to define possible environmental risk. Total identified mercury emission to air, soil and water in Poland for year 2010 from anthropogenic sources was estimated as 18.0 Mg. Annual Hg emission to air from by-product sources was equal 13.5 Mg, with the highest share of emission from brown coal-fired power plants. Mercury contained in combustion residues and removed from flue gases is transferred to waste waters, disposed to landfills and used to a concrete production with unknown amounts. Annual mercury emission to air from the use of mercury-containing products (0.5 Mg) was estimated by authors based on model for distribution and emissions for batteries, light sources, other electrical and electronic equipment and also for measuring and control equipment. Emission to air from dental practice (0.3 Mg) was estimated for combustion of wastes containing dental amalgam and from bodies cremation. SFA for the use of mercury-containing products and dental practice presents significant load of 10.4 Mg mercury contained in hazardous wastes produced annually. It covers wastes of used products, dental amalgam wastes directly from clinics as well as stream from incineration of infectious dental wastes. In the paper mercury discharges to water from large and medium industrial facilities (2.9 Mg) and municipal waste-water treatment plants in large agglomerations (0.4 Mg) are presented. Smaller loads are generates by leachate transfer from municipal landfills to WWTPs and further to agriculture and also by releases from dental amalgam in buried bodies. The paper indicates lack of information in SFA which should be regarded, mainly concerning mercury releases from municipal landfills to water and soil and emissions from municipal WWTPs to air.

경남지역 치과의원 의료폐기물 관리실태

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to prevent health problems and environmental contamination resulting from inappropriate management of dental wastes and to provide reference data for revision and supplementation of dental clinic waste management guidelines. Methods: From 640 total of dental clinics registered in 16 cities and counties in Gyeongsangnam-do, 100 (60 in Changwon (Masan, Changwon), 29 in Gimhae, and 11 in Jinju) were included in this study. From July 2010 to September 2010, investigators visited the 100 dental clinics and conducted survey interviews using a structured survey questionnaire regarding disposal methods for liquid wastes (suction pump, spittoon container waste, used liquid disinfectants, and X-ray developer), and disposal methods for solid waste (suction pump, spittoon container waste, and general medical waste). Results: All the 100 dental clinics were found to treat liquid waste from suction pumps and spittoon containers in the same manner as general waste water. Nineteen percent of the clinics treated solid waste that was not filtered through the filter of a suction pump as general waste. Fifty or more percent of the clinics treated solid waste in spittoon containers as general waste. Seventy percent of the clinics used disinfectant solution, although most of them treated used disinfectants in the same manner as general waste water. Some clinics treated used X-ray developer and X-ray fixer in the same manner as general waste water. In most of the clinics, used drapes were washed within the clinic. Conclusions: It was found that waste water and dental wastes at some dental clinics were treated in inappropriately. Thus, in conclusion, the development of guidelines regarding proper management of liquid and solid dental waste at dental clinics is required, and hygiene and environmental training for workers at dental clinics is necessary.

Development of an Experimental Phosphate-Calcium Cement with a Whisker-Like Structure

In a previous study, the authors tried to synthesize dental materials from dental waste, which was accomplished with alginate impression materials and gypsum. A powder was set by mixing it with phosphate solution. Fibrous curled crystals were found through SEM observation. The present study shows a detailed analysis of the crystals. XRD analysis indicated the crystals are Brushite. A unique profile of the crystal shows it can be a good apatite precursor or cell scaffold; however, this hypothesis requires further examination.

Mercury Accumulation in Fish: The Potential Effect of Dental Amalgam Wastewater

ABSTRACT Objectives Dental amalgam discharge in the wastewater stream is a potential source of mercury (Hg) that may contaminate the soil, water and wildlife, once released without safety measures. This study aimed the total Hg accumulation in fish Carassius auratus comparing different water environments: Water from the Tietê river basin close to the metropolitan area of Bauru, Brazil; tap water contaminated with 0.5 gm/l load of dental amalgam and tap water was used as control. Study design Fish were kept in glass aquaria, each water environment consisted of 25 specimens. The inner organs and muscles were sampled at 1 hour and 28 days for total Hg accumulation analysis. Also, water samples were analyzed at 1 hour, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days through cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Results Only the fish kept at water from the Tietê river and contaminated tap water had Hg detected on its sampled tissues. The highest median levels were found in inner organs: 12.36 mg/kg–Tietê river and 262.64 mg/kg–contaminated tap water. The lowest median concentrations were found in muscles: 0.13 mg/kg–Tietê river and 0.54 mg/kg–contaminated tap water. Conclusion These findings alert to the potential environmental risks of dental amalgam waste discharge. How to cite this article Pinheiro TN, Consolaro A, Sakuma A, Buzzo ML, de Carvalho MS, Duran MC. Mercury Accumulation in Fish: The Potential Effect of Dental Amalgam Wastewater. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2012;1(2):75-80.

Production of a calcium silicate cement material from alginate impression material

The purpose of this study was to synthesize biomaterials from daily dental waste. Since alginate impression material contains silica and calcium salts, we aimed to synthesize calcium silicate cement from alginate impression material. Gypsum-based investment material was also investigated as control. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that although firing the set gypsum-based and modified investment materials at 1,200°C produced calcium silicates, firing the set alginate impression material did not. However, we succeeded when firing the set blend of pre-fired set alginate impression material and gypsum at 1,200°C. SEM observations of the powder revealed that the featured porous structures of diatomite as an alginate impression material component appeared useful for synthesizing calcium silicates. Experimentally fabricated calcium silicate powder was successfully mixed with phosphoric acid solution and set by depositing the brushite. Therefore, we conclude that the production of calcium silicate cement material is possible from waste alginate impression material.

Evidence summary: can plastics used in dentistry act as an environmental pollutant? Can we avoid the use of plastics in dental practice?

Since August 2009, members of the Primary Care Dentistry Research Forum (www.dentistryresearch.org) have taken part in an online vote to identify questions in day-to-day practice that they felt most needed to be answered with conclusive research. The question that receives the most votes each month forms the subject of a critical appraisal of the relevant literature. Each month a new round of voting takes place to decide which further questions will be reviewed. Dental practitioners and dental care professionals are encouraged to take part in the voting and submit their own questions to be included in the vote by joining the website. The paper below details a summary of the findings of the twelfth critical appraisal. In order to address the question, searches of the literature were conducted to identify any articles discussing or evaluating the use of plastic in dental practice, or interventions that might reduce the use of plastics in dental practice. There were no studies identified that directly answered the question of this review. In a narrative review, environmental audit was suggested as a strategy that could help dental practitioners make more informed decisions in their practice; but there were not any studies that evaluated this. Further studies are need to demonstrate what proportion of dental waste includes plastics and whether specific interventions such as environmental audit can decrease the amount of plastic use and waste along with improving other environmental outcomes.

Biomedical dental waste management and awareness of waste management policy among private dental practitioners in Mangalore city, India

Aim: To assess (1) Awareness towards waste management policy and practices. (2) Approach towards waste management policy and practices. (3) Performance in waste management policy and practices among the private dental practitioners in the city of Mangalore, India. Study Design: A cross sectional study. Study subjects and methods: Ninety six private dental practitioners of Mangalore city responded to the self administered questionnaire on biomedical dental waste disposal. Questionnaire contained seventeen closed end type of questions. The questionnaire was designed in an appropriate way such that the objectives of the study were met. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 15. Results: A survey was conducted among 109 private dental practitioners in the city of Mangalore with a self administered questionnaire out of which 96 responded (88.07%). Overall 97.9% of the practitioners were aware of the waste management policy, 47.9 % were handing over the waste to municipal garbage collectors, 54.2% felt that there was a lack of awareness regarding the existing health care waste management services within the city, 44.8% contacted the certified waste carrier services, 42.7% discarded blood soaked swabs and gauze in specific colour coded plastics during disposal. Conclusion: From the study it was found that a large number of practitioners are aware of the legislation policy but have failed to contact and register their clinic under certified waste management services of the city. Lack of professional training has been a major cause for the same. Hence there is a need to educate the dental practitioners regarding proper practice measures.Key words: Bio medical waste, private dental practitioners, Dental office waste, self administered questionnaire.