Dental perspective on biomedical waste and mercury management: A knowledge, attitude, and practice survey.

ABSTRACT

Context Management of waste generated in any health-care facility is a critical issue as it poses a direct threat to human health as well as to the environment. The biomedical waste generated in the dental scenario includes sharps, used disposable items, infectious waste (blood-soaked cotton, gauze, etc.), hazardous waste (mercury, lead), and chemical waste (such as spent film developers, fixers, and disinfectants). A major concern in our field is management and disposal of mercury. Aims: To obtain information about the knowledge, attitude, and practices of dental institutions and dental practitioners in the disposal of waste. Settings and design: A self-administered questionnaire, composed of 50 questions was designed. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire was distributed among the participants, chosen randomly, including dental students, faculty from dental colleges and private practitioners in and around Delhi, India. Statistical analysis used The percentage response for each question from all the participants was obtained and the data was calculated. Results: Many dentists have knowledge about the waste management but they lack in the attitude and practice. Conclusions: There is need for education regarding hazards associated with improper waste disposal at all levels of dental personnel. It is imperative that waste should be segregated and disposed off in a safe manner to protect the environment as well as human health.