Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Dental Waste Management Practices at Dental Offices in Gyeongsangnam-do

경남지역 치과의원 의료폐기물 관리실태

  • Kim, Hae-Jin (Department of Public Health, School of Environment and Public Health, Yeungnam University) ;
  • SaKong, Joon (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University)
  • 김해진 (영남대학교 환경보건대학원 보건학과) ;
  • 사공준 (영남대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2012.05.07
  • Accepted : 2012.07.25
  • Published : 2012.08.31
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Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to prevent health problems and environmental contamination resulting from inappropriate management of dental wastes and to provide reference data for revision and supplementation of dental clinic waste management guidelines. Methods: From 640 total of dental clinics registered in 16 cities and counties in Gyeongsangnam-do, 100 (60 in Changwon (Masan, Changwon), 29 in Gimhae, and 11 in Jinju) were included in this study. From July 2010 to September 2010, investigators visited the 100 dental clinics and conducted survey interviews using a structured survey questionnaire regarding disposal methods for liquid wastes (suction pump, spittoon container waste, used liquid disinfectants, and X-ray developer), and disposal methods for solid waste (suction pump, spittoon container waste, and general medical waste). Results: All the 100 dental clinics were found to treat liquid waste from suction pumps and spittoon containers in the same manner as general waste water. Nineteen percent of the clinics treated solid waste that was not filtered through the filter of a suction pump as general waste. Fifty or more percent of the clinics treated solid waste in spittoon containers as general waste. Seventy percent of the clinics used disinfectant solution, although most of them treated used disinfectants in the same manner as general waste water. Some clinics treated used X-ray developer and X-ray fixer in the same manner as general waste water. In most of the clinics, used drapes were washed within the clinic. Conclusions: It was found that waste water and dental wastes at some dental clinics were treated in inappropriately. Thus, in conclusion, the development of guidelines regarding proper management of liquid and solid dental waste at dental clinics is required, and hygiene and environmental training for workers at dental clinics is necessary.

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