Dental Wastes and Practices Among Dental Students and Practitioners

Abstract

Background: The increasing worldwide worry about dental waste stems from the widespread use of materials in dental treatments. Therefore, it was crucial to conduct a comprehensive analysis to evaluate how dental waste is handled by dentistry professionals and students, resulting in important discoveries.

Objectives: This study seeks to investigate dental waste management procedures among dental students and practitioners while assessing the various forms of dental waste produced in different departments. Moreover, it aims to explore possible strategies for improving the handling and disposal of dental waste.

 Methods: Students, interns, teachers, and practitioners completed an online questionnaire to provide primary data. A survey was conducted using random sampling procedures to obtain a sample of 406 persons from different dental institutions and hospitals.

Results: The research findings indicated that a significant percentage of staff members and students exhibited awareness of appropriate disposal techniques for different categories of dental waste. The Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology faculty members have shown exceptional skill. In general, the participants demonstrated a significant understanding of proper disposal methods, especially for items linked to dentistry. However, there were differences in knowledge levels across other departments, as shown by a more significant proportion of skilled staff in departments like Oral Pathology & Oral Microbiology and Orthodontics compared to the students in such departments.

Conclusion: This research highlights the need to include thorough waste management education in dentistry schools to tackle the increasing environmental and health issues related to dental waste.