College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
School of Health sciences, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, New South Wales, Australia.
Clin Exp Dent Res. 2024 Dec;10(6):e70015. doi: 10.1002/cre2.70015.
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.
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.
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 COe per year (when one patient is treated daily) can be achieved if sterile wrapping plastics were to be recycled.
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.
许多国际牙科组织一直倡导在牙科领域实行可持续实践，这需要大幅减少对环境的影响。本研究旨在分析大学诊所的牙科临床废物，以探索可持续实践的机会。
随机选择了 50 个牙科治疗椅（牙科椅），这些牙科椅常规用于提供牙科治疗，涉及监督临床医生、牙科学生和患者，收集、分类和称重产生的临床废物。采用统计学分析方法，根据所进行的治疗分析废物产生的差异。
每个牙科椅产生的平均废物量为：围裙 81.4 克、手套 56.2 克、口罩 17.2 克、无菌包装 24.0 克、其他塑料 48.8 克、纤维素基物品 100.8 克和杂项物品 25.8 克。与检查相比，进行牙髓治疗程序的牙科椅产生的废物更多。如果对无菌包装塑料进行回收，每年每椅可减少约 10 公斤 COe 的温室气体排放（当每天治疗一位患者时）。
大学诊所存在简单但可行的高效临床废物管理机会，这将在后 COVID-19 时代提高环境可持续性。提高对可持续措施的认识和激励措施，有可能增强更广泛采用环保方法的可能性。
