Knowledge, Awareness and Practices of Dental Health Care Waste Disposal- Survey of Dental Professionals in Mysore District

Abstract

Dental practices generate large amounts of dental waste which is of environmental concern. Adequate knowledge, information on handling, segregation and disposal of dental wastes are important elements of dental health care. The aim of the study was to determine knowledge, awareness and dental behaviour of general dental practitioners on health care waste management of Mysore district, India. A total of 120 private dental practitioners participated in the pilot tested self administered questionnaire regarding policies, practices and awareness relating to biomedical waste (P<0. 001). The resulting data were statistically tested using chi-square test. Results indicate that there was significant difference (P<0. 05) regarding awareness and knowledge about management of dental waste among general dental practitioners, Jack of segregation of waste, lack of waste management agency. There is need for availability of few more specialized health care waste management services in Mysore district and provide information to the dental practitioners about availability of these services. There is a need for regular continuous dental education programmes on dental waste management to private dental practitioners.