The Usage and Waste Management of Restorative Materials in Ireland.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the usage and waste management of dental amalgam and mercury-free alternatives by general dental practitioners in the Republic of Ireland. Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study design was adopted. A 53-question survey was distributed to dentists using the Dental Register as the sampling frame. The survey consisted of fixed choice and open-ended questions and was laid out over six distinct sections including; current practice, waste management, knowledge of phase down (Minamata Convention on Mercury), attitudes, training, and demographics Results: The response rate to the survey was 12% with 285 dentists agreeing to participate. The study found that resin composite was the most commonly placed restorative material by respondents (69%) followed by dental amalgam (20%). Compliance with waste management of dental amalgam was high with 93% of respondents reporting having a waste management policy concerning the disposal of waste amalgam and 87% compliance with fitting the of amalgam separators. More than half, 78% of dentists surveyed, disposed of waste amalgam in a dedicated container with a mercury vapour suppressant. Just under half, 44%, of respondents felt that both they and their staff had adequate training in the disposal of waste amalgam and other dental waste. Conclusions: The study found that Irish dentists have good compliance with the Minamata Convention on Mercury. Two of the main barriers identified by the study to a total phase-out of dental amalgam in the future were training and remuneration.