Suitable dental waste disposal and gathering has gained much importance due to the presence of hazardous, toxic and infectious agents. Furthermore, dental schools must keep the best standards for this purpose for their leading role in the education of dentists. The present study assessed the status of dental waste gathering and disposal in Tehran City during 2010-2011.
Methods:
In this descriptive study, all dental schools of Teharan city including Shahid Beheshti , Tehran , Azad and Shahed were studied using a 94-item valid questionnaire. The completion of the questionnaires was done with the cooperation of a simple hygienist in different wards while the researcher observed the waste disposal and gathering status. The data were reported using descriptive indices.
Results:
In all dental schools, the cleansing agents of radiographic processing solutions and disinfecting agents were disposed in drain while sprays and extracted teeth were collected in the dangerous especial packs. Some budgets were assigned for the waste disposal in all schools while a written exclusive guideline was used for the purpose just in one school. Although with much more positive points, some shortcomings existed regarding waste disposal in the standard methods.
Conclusions:
Due to some reported shortcomings, it was suggested in addition to the education of the personnel involved in dental waste collection and disposal, especial standards should be used in this regard while the cooperation of the recycling organization and municipality would be effective for an appropriate waste disposal.