Dental Amalgam Waste Management in the Central Division, Fiji

Objectives:To determine the different methods and techniques of disposing amalgam waste and the knowledge of waste disposal amongst dental practitioners in the Central Division in Fiji.

Method: This study investigated amalgam waste management practices and safety measures implemented by dental staff in the public dental clinics. A questionnaire based survey was conducted for the eight central dental clinics to assess the current situation. Main areas included was amalgam waste produced by clinics,its storage, and disposal measures undertaken.

Results: All the dental clinics reported having chair-side and central suction trap and none of them had amalgam separator machines. The major source of amalgam waste was from excess mixed amalgams (91%), and 86% of these wastes were stored in plastic bottles with water. 63% of the clinics disposed amalgam waste with the medical waste and the remaining clinics sold amalgam waste to scrap metal offices. Approximately 63% of the dental professionals were “not sure” about their final closing stage of dental amalgam waste; and they also identified the lack of disposing facilities.

Conclusion: The practice of amalgam waste disposal in the clinics was different in comparison to the standard guidelines. Collaboration is needed between various stakeholders to enhance amalgam waste management and provide workshops and capacity building programs for all dental health care workers.