What is Dental Clinic Waste?
Dental clinic waste refers to the waste materials generated in dental clinics while provisioning oral healthcare services. Though most of this waste is non-hazardous and can be handled in the same way as household waste, some waste produced in dental clinics can pose serious risk to human health and environment. Therefore, proper management and disposal of dental clinic waste is crucial.
Types of Dental Clinic Waste
Here are some of the most common dental wastes with each requiring its own standard for proper disposal:
Infectious Waste
Waste that comes in contact with bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva and pus, and can transmit diseases.
- Used needles and syringes
- Instruments that have come into contact with bodily fluids
- Contaminated gloves, gowns and masks
Amalgam Waste
Waste generated from the use of Amalgam fillings for repairing any cavities in your mouth. This amalgam fillings contains mercury, lead and other heavy metals that are injurious to health. Any wastage from an amalgam filling should assorted into the white medicinal waste bin.
Fact: Amalgam is known as one of the best materials to fill a tooth cavity as it is long lasting, less likely to break and less expensive to place.
Bodily Fluid Waste
While operating on patients, dentists often come in close contact with different bodily fluids including saliva and blood. Both substances would be classified as hygiene waste or offensive waste, usually disposed of in nearby kick bins.
In certain circumstances such as patients who have HIV or alternatively Hepatitis B, the blood must be disposed of under different dental clinic waste known as infectious clinical waste.
Sharps Waste
Waste that is sharp and can cause puncture wounds.
- Used needles and syringes
- Contaminated dental instruments with sharp edges
Pharmaceutical Waste
Waste produced from the use of medications and chemicals in dental clinics.
- Unused or expired medications
- Chemicals used for sterilisation and disinfection
Pathological Waste
Waste produced from treatment, diagnosis and examination of patients.
- Tissue samples and biopsies
- Extracted teeth and other human tissues
Colour Code | Waste Type |
---|---|
Yellow | Sharps/Infectious Waste |
Orange | Infectious Waste |
Yellow/Black (Stripe) | Offensive waste |
Red | Anatomical waste |
Blue | Medicinal Waste |
Purple | Cytotoxic waste |
White | Amalgam waste |
Colour Coding for Dental Waste
Colour Code | Waste Type |
---|---|
Yellow | Sharps/Infectious Waste |
Orange | Infectious Waste |
Yellow/ Black (Stripe) | Offensive waste |
Red | Anatomical waste |
Blue | Medicinal Waste |
Purple | Cytotoxic waste |
White | Amalgam waste |
Any other waste that can be recycled including paper and glass should be placed into the most appropriate commercial recycling bin. All remaining waste that does not fall under any of the previously stated categories is known as ‘trade waste’ and should be safely put away in black plastic waste bags.
By separating dental waste into one of the of the seven allocated waste bins helps accurately accumulate each waste type ready to be disposed of safely and lawfully. Additional benefits of separating dental clinics waste includes reducing the possibility of cross contamination.
Fact: Amalgam is known as one of the best materials to fill a tooth cavity as it is long lasting, less likely to break and less expensive to place.
Regulations for Dental Clinic Waste Disposal
Dentists across the country adhere to strict guidelines for discarding any dental waste from their clinics. Due to the apparatus and equipment involved within dentistry, tools and equipment contain various hazardous substances including mercury, amalgam and various other potentially dangerous chemicals.
The UK governing body, the Department of Health, has outlined their approach, best practices and guidance upon safe management of healthcare waste.
Not complying with the hazardous waste guidelines and discarding of any hazardous waste illegally can lead to different penalties including fines and in extreme circumstances imprisonment.
Assorting waste into the correct category to be disposed of is a process known as waste classification. In order to simply this process certain schemes have been introduced to save on both time and costs.
Consignment Notes
Waste Transfer Notes (WTN) and Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes are another fundamental aspect of dental clinic waste regulations. Waste notes are documents that contain details about the waste being transferred from one party to another, in most cases these refer to the waste carrier and the waste facility.
Consignment notes should always contain the following:
- Quantity of the waste
- EWC Code
- SIC Code
- Waste description
- Description of the waste packaged
- Place and date of transfer
- Name and address of parties
- License/registration numbers of the permit holders
Dental clinics should always request copies of the Waste Transfer Notes for each disposal. Maintaining and keeping a logged history and copy waste transfer notes will help yourself stay organised and be proof when your dental clinic ever is undergoing an audit.
Dental Waste Disposal & Management: Guidelines and Practices
Dental waste disposal management guidelines and practices are designed to ensure safe and efficient handling of dental waste. Here are some best practices and guidelines for dental waste disposal:
- Segregating: Separate dental waste into various categories, such as hazardous waste, infectious waste, chemical waste and non-hazardous waste.
- Labelling: Label each category of dental clinic/laboratory waste clearly and accurately. This helps ensure proper handling and disposal.
- Storge: Collect and store dental waste in defined areas, such as sharps containers, biohazard waste containers and chemical waste containers.
- Disposal: Dental medical waste disposal should be done in accordance with the local, state and federal regulations, rules and guidelines.
Choosing a Dental Waste Disposal Provider
Choosing the right company to handle the disposal of dental waste can be a daunting task. The first port of call when reviewing waste disposal companies is to verify their legitimacy. In circumstances where there are various dental practices spread across the country, a cost saving exercise would be to choose a dental waste disposal provider that covers all locations you operate in.
Ideal Response uphold a five-star reputation and are certified upper-tier hazardous waste license carriers operating across the United Kingdom. Whether you require a one-off or continuous waste collection service, our team are here to help.
Ideal Response is just a call away! Reach out to us at – 0808 239 0607