Monitoring the Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Dental Waste in an Urban Area: A Longitudinal Waste Management Study

Background & Objective: Dental clinics produce hazardous and infectious waste, chemicals, and contain mercury particles, posing a significant risk to public health and the environment. Long-term data on the dynamics of dental waste in middle-income cities are lacking. This study aimed to measure and describe the dental waste generated in Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran, over ۳ years (۲۰۲۲-۲۰۲۴), identify temporal variations, and quantify compliance with national waste management standards. Materials and Methods: A long-term observational survey was conducted across ۵۸ randomly selected dental practices (public and private). Waste samples were collected quarterly, categorized into ۴ groups (infectious, household-type, chemical-pharmaceutical, and hazardous), and weighed with an accuracy of ۰.۰۱ g. Temporal variations were analyzed using SPSS (version ۲۵) with descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. The total number of clinics participating in the study remained the same during the examination (n = ۸۸ registered; ۵۸ sampled). Results: Total annual waste increased by ۷.۴% (from ۴,۳۸۷.۲ kg in ۲۰۲۲ to ۴,۷۱۲.۹ kg in ۲۰۲۴), driven by increased patient volume and the expansion of clinical services. The percentage of infectious waste increased to ۴۰.۸% of the total stream, while the household-type waste decreased slightly. Chemical-pharmaceutical and toxic waste did not exceed ۱۳ percent. Sharps compliance was ۸۹%, with approximately ۱۸% of biological residues in general waste contaminated with bio-waste. Conclusion: Dental-related waste is gradually growing, with significant proportions of hazardous infectious waste, in Karaj. The persistent misclassification of domestic waste indicates continued noncompliance with separation regulations. Improving dental waste sustainability and public health will require enhanced education, monitoring, and advocacy for environmentally sustainable dental practices. These include, but are not limited to, digital dentistry, mercury-free materials, and sustainable dentistry through the circular economy. This highlights the importance of visual bin labels, staff refresher training, and behavioral nudges to enhance waste segregation at the source.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dental Waste ، Environmental Health ، Health Care ، Program ، Sustainability