An investigation of the disposal of dental clinical waste in Ibadan City, south-west Nigeria

摘要

This study investigated the disposal of dental clinical waste in and from dental surgeries in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria and followed the waste trail to the rubbish tips. A questionnaire was sent to 130 dentists in dental practices in Ibadan city. Rubbish collectors and scavengers were interviewed to see if they encountered clinical dental waste. The response rate of dentists was 93%. A total of 68.6% of the dentists sampled stated that there were no special disposal facilities for the different kinds of waste materials generated in their clinics: 52.9% disposed of sharp items into the waste bins; and 77.7% said there was no special treatment/disposal of needles and other items used on patients with infectious diseases. Most practices burned their wastes in the hospital area and 73.6% said they were not aware of any rules or body to regulate dental waste disposal in Nigeria. Rubbish collectors and scavengers knew what dental rubbish looked like and tried to avoid it. The survey clearly demonstrates a failure by dentists to dispose of waste appropriately and also provides evidence that scavengers encounter the waste. There is need for the government to provide recommendations, reinforced by legislation and education, to the dental profession concerning the waste materials that they generate.