An Investigation Into Contaminated Waste Composition in a University Dental Clinic: Opportunities for Sustainability in Dentistry

IF 1.7 Q3 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE Clinical and Experimental Dental Research Pub Date : 2024-10-29 DOI:10.1002/cre2.70015

Samuel Yeoh, Yani Bourdamis, Adam Saker, Noah Marano, Liam Maundrell, Poornima Ramamurthy, Dileep Sharma

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Abstract

Objectives

Many international dental organizations have been advocating for sustainable practices in dentistry, whereby significant reductions in environmental impacts are needed. The aim of this study was to analyze dental clinical waste in a university clinic setting to explore opportunities for sustainable practices.

Material and Methods

Fifty dental units (chairs) that are routinely used in delivery of dental treatment and involved supervising clinicians, dental students, and patients were randomly selected, and the clinical waste generated was collected, segregated, and weighed. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze differences in waste production based on treatment performed.

Results

The mean waste production generated by each chair was 81.4 g of aprons, 56.2 g of gloves, 17.2 g of masks, 24.0 g of sterile wrappings, 48.8 g of other plastics, 100.8 g of cellulose-based items, and 25.8 g of miscellaneous items. Higher waste was generated from the chairs performing endodontic procedures when compared with examinations. A potential annual greenhouse gas saving of approximately 10 kg CO₂e per year (when one patient is treated daily) can be achieved if sterile wrapping plastics were to be recycled.

Conclusions

Simple yet achievable opportunities for efficient clinical waste management at university clinics exist, which in turn will increase environmental sustainability in the post-COVID-19 era. Increased awareness and incentives for sustainable measures could potentially enhance the possibility of wider adoption of ecofriendly approaches.

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大学牙科诊所污染废物成分调查：牙科可持续发展的机遇。

目的：许多国际牙科组织一直在倡导牙科的可持续实践，即需要大幅减少对环境的影响。本研究旨在分析一所大学诊所的牙科临床废物，以探索可持续实践的机会：随机抽取了 50 个牙科诊室（椅），这些诊室在提供牙科治疗时经常使用，涉及临床医生、牙科学生和患者，并对产生的临床废物进行了收集、分类和称重。进行了统计分析，以分析根据所进行的治疗而产生的废物量的差异：结果：每台牙科治疗椅产生的平均废物量为 81.4 克围裙、56.2 克手套、17.2 克口罩、24.0 克无菌包装材料、48.8 克其他塑料、100.8 克纤维素类物品和 25.8 克杂项物品。与检查相比，牙髓治疗椅产生的废物较多。如果对无菌包装塑料进行回收利用，每年可减少约 10 千克 CO2e 的温室气体排放（每天治疗一名患者）：结论：在大学诊所进行有效的临床废物管理存在着简单而可行的机会，这反过来又将提高后 COVID-19 时代的环境可持续性。提高对可持续发展措施的认识并采取激励措施，有可能促进更广泛地采用生态友好型方法。

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来源期刊

Clinical and Experimental Dental Research DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE-

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

165

审稿时长

26 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical and Experimental Dental Research aims to provide open access peer-reviewed publications of high scientific quality representing original clinical, diagnostic or experimental work within all disciplines and fields of oral medicine and dentistry. The scope of Clinical and Experimental Dental Research comprises original research material on the anatomy, physiology and pathology of oro-facial, oro-pharyngeal and maxillofacial tissues, and functions and dysfunctions within the stomatognathic system, and the epidemiology, aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of diseases and conditions that have an effect on the homeostasis of the mouth, jaws, and closely associated structures, as well as the healing and regeneration and the clinical aspects of replacement of hard and soft tissues with biomaterials, and the rehabilitation of stomatognathic functions. Studies that bring new knowledge on how to advance health on the individual or public health levels, including interactions between oral and general health and ill-health are welcome.