A Study on Management of Dental Health Care Waste: Hyderabad Experience

Background: Dental health care procedures generate significant amount of waste materials which could be potentially harmful to environment and community health. Aims and Objective: The present study has been undertaken to assess the concern of dental health care providers at Hyderabad, India towards handling and disposal of dental waste generated. Material and Methods: A structured questionnaire of 18 questions was handed over to 294 participants. The study population included undergraduate students (Group 1) and post graduate students (Group 2), dental practitioners (Group 3) and auxiliary staff (Group 4). The data was analysed using chi square test. Results: 95.6% participants were aware of biomedical waste and various categories of biomedical waste were known to (85.0%). 50.3 % followed a systematic method of segregation of waste. 35.4% disposed sharps in sharps bin. Mercury spill kit and amalgam separator was not being used by 77.2 % and 74.5 % respectively.97.3% discouraged flushing silver filling in the drain. 45.9 % disposed human anatomical waste in yellow plastic bags. 34.7 % flushed used radiographic fixer in drain and 56.8 % disposed lead foil packets and aprons into regular bins. Majority did not use black plastic bag to disposed expired medicines. 72.4 % agreed that the liquid waste generated was drained in the sewer water. Conclusion: There is a definite need to create awareness, improve knowledge, inculcate responsible attitude, and adopt proper methods to dispose dental health care waste to minimise its harmful effects.