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Seven Methods For Safely Disposing Of Dental Waste

Seven Methods For Safely Disposing Of Dental Waste
by Jana Harrison, DDS

Busy practices see a large number of patients on a daily basis. Patients come and go virtually the whole day. Their treatment ranges from simple routine checkups, fillings, cleanings, and polishing to implants, extractions, and root canals.

Consequently, a variety of clinical waste accumulates. Clinical waste or bio waste includes wholly or partly human or animal tissue, bodily wastes, pharmaceutical products, syringes, needles, swabs, and so on. Other common dental wastes include x-ray fixer and developer as well as gypsum found in dental molds.

Waste poses a serious problem to practices that need to work out a way to dispose of these often hazardous materials without any detrimental impact on the environment. Wastes from all healthcare facilities include dangerous substances that need to be disposed safely.

Fortunately, health and safety protocols are set to guide disposal activities. Practices should adhere to these guidelines to avoid compliance issues.

Managing Amalgam Waste

Amalgam is used as a restorative material in dental practices. It consists of several chemicals that mercury holds together. Mercury is a dangerous chemical that can enter the environment through scrap, vapors, or waste water. Clinical waste containing amalgam must not be disposed of in the sharps container, in the garbage, or down the drain.

A December 2016 federal regulation required all dental practices to be fitted with amalgam separators, which capture mercury in waste water and prevent it from seeping into the ground. The devices are found to be effective in capturing 95% of amalgam particles. The separators should be fitted to the dental chair as well as the waste water sinks to prevent untreated water from getting into the environment.

Read full article on Dentistry Today.