Evaluation of dentists regarding the management of dental waste produced in the daily routine

Abstract

The management of health service residues is a problem which demands the attention of local authorities and governments, due to their inherent reponsiblitites to the local population. This management demands a special handling, storage, collection, transport and destinations, due to the fact that the residues, produced by health institutions, can many times cause illnesses or other damages. It was the aim of this study to assess the management of dental waste generated by 85 private Health Institutions that provide odontological services to the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil, especially as concerns the final destination of this waste. It could be observed that the management of the dental waste produced in the daily routines of the dentists has had significant flaws that run from its production to its final destination. Most likely, the public institutions as well as the dentists have not been fulfilling their roles in appropriately managing the waste. The lack of documentation or delay in documentation, leads one to believe in an indifference regarding health surveillance, as well as the unprepared nature of the producers, which runs from the production to the destination of dental waste. The results point toward the non-compliance with the laws set forth by Department of Sanitation as well as toward the lack of conditions provided by the Municipal Government of Campina Grande which would aid dentists in complying with an appropriate and conscientious disposal of dental waste, without endangering the population and the environment.