Knowledge, Awareness, and Practices Regarding Biomedical Waste Management Among Undergraduate Dental Students

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practices of dental students regarding biomedical waste (BMW) management.Methods: A self-administered structured questionnaire consisting of 16 questions on knowledge, awareness, and practices about BMW management was distributed among 100 students randomly belonging to 3 rd year, final year and intern students of Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha University, Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and results obtained. The data were analyzed using ANOVA test (all the results are calculated at 1% level of significance) and Post-hoc test.Results: Overall, 67% respondents were aware of the existing BMW management policy systems in India. 62% of students were aware about the correct color coding management system for hospital waste management that prevails in India. 86% of students knew about the dental waste categories of materials used in dentistry. There was a statistically significant difference of knowledge levels among the 3 rd year, final year students and the interns. 100% practice discarding sharps in the puncture-proof containers. Only 27% of the respondents discarded the extracted tooth in a proper way. Only 51% of them have attended previous training programs on dental waste management. There was also a statistically significant difference of BMW disposal practices among the three groups. Conclusion:The majority of dental students in our study have good level of knowledge and awareness regarding BMW management in dental clinics. However, their practice toward BMW disposal was poor. Hence, the knowledge acquired must be put into practice. Intern students have the highest level of knowledge and practices toward dental waste disposal when compared to final year and 3 rd year students. Hence, these findings imply that proper training, continuing education programs, and short-term courses about BMW management, and infection control procedures are required to motivate the dental students and dental auxiliaries. The importance of training regarding BMW management must be emphasized as the lack of proper and complete knowledge about BMW management impacts practices of appropriate waste disposal.

Investigating the Frequency of Occupational Exposure in Dentistry Students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Southwest of Iran

“…As dentists, students, employees, and dental patients are usually in contact with blood and oral discharges; they are highly at the exposure of infection [2,3]. Moreover, from the viewpoint of clinicians and the public people, dentistry is considered as an occupation with excessive risks including the risk of infection [5,4]. The dentistry workplace is considered to be one of the very infectious environments due to different microbial forms contamination and the type of work performed by a dentist.…”

“…This situation is attributable to the nature of the work, using dentistry tools, and the contact of the dentist with the patient's oral environment [6]. The risk of hepatitis B transmission to health workers and dentists is between 2% and 30% [5]. Furthermore, the risk of hepatitis C infection transmission is about 1.8%.…”

“…Furthermore, the risk of hepatitis C infection transmission is about 1.8%. Furthermore, such infection is the most serious viral hepatitis infection due to its ability in creating chronic infection in 85% of infected people [5,7,8]. Center for Disease Control and Prevention investigated 208 dentistry exposures (including subcutaneous, mucous membrane, and long-term skin exposure) reported between 1995 and 2001, in which 13% were positive for HIV source which led to serum changes since 75% of the exposed people received three PEP regimens for varying times [5].…”

“…Furthermore, such infection is the most serious viral hepatitis infection due to its ability in creating chronic infection in 85% of infected people [5,7,8]. Center for Disease Control and Prevention investigated 208 dentistry exposures (including subcutaneous, mucous membrane, and long-term skin exposure) reported between 1995 and 2001, in which 13% were positive for HIV source which led to serum changes since 75% of the exposed people received three PEP regimens for varying times [5]. Moreover, reports suggest that more than 3 million medical employees experience occupational exposure to sharp and cutting objects annually, leading to 16,000 cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 66,000 cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and 1000 cases of HIV infection [9].…”

“…Among health personnel, dentists and their patients are always at a high risk of infections transmitted through blood due to blood-borne infections and other body fluids [11]. Dentists and dental care providers similar to other health-care providers are always at a risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C [5,4]. In the dentistry career, injuries as a result of sharp objects occur for different reasons including small work area, continuous movement of patients, and the use of several sharp tools in dental procedures [12].…”