Evaluation of quality and quantity of solid wastes in Babol Dental Faculty–North of Iran

Introduction: Dental wastes are a main part of urban solid wastes in each society and have pathogenic agents and toxic chemicals, which put health of patients, personnel and other referees to dental clinics in danger. The present study  was done to recognize the quality and quantity of the different generated wastes at various parts of the Faculty of Dentistry-Babol University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The whole solid wastes generated in the odd and even days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) of the middle of the week from the second month of each season were examined. Various dental solid wastes including general, infectious and hazardous chemical wastes were weighted by typical scale. Results: The generation rate of the solid wastes were: total dental wastes: 291.2 kg including general solid wastes: 251.3 kg (%86.3), infectious wastes and sharps: 38 kg (%13) and hazardous chemical waste: 2 kg (%0.7). The total amount of wastes in a year was 69888 kg. The solid wastes are daily produced according to each active dental unit as total, domestic-type, infectious and the hazardous chemical wastes were 3.07 kg, 2.65 kg, 0.4 kg and 0.02 kg, respectively. Conclusions: Considering the quality and quantity of the generated dental solid wastes especially infectious wastes and their unfavorable effects on the peoples' health and environment, it is necessary to compile a distinct policy for the management of these medical solid wastes. Also, holding training workshops, knowledge of the staffs in the dentistry care centers should be increased to avoid possible dangers.