Iranian Journal of

Backgrounds and Objectives:Today, One of the most important environmental issues is solid waste Produced in Dentistry That because of the presence of hazardous, toxic and pathogen agents has special importance. In this survey, solid waste produced in Hamadan Dentistry laboratories and practical dentist offices is studied.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, from 24 Dentistry laboratories in Hamedan 5 offices and from 27 practical dentist offices 5 offices were selected in simple random way. From each offices 3 sample at the end of successive working day (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) were analyzed. Samples were manually sorted into different 41 components and by means of laboratory scale were measured. Then, measured components were classified based on characteristic and hazardous potential.
Results: Total annual waste produced in Dentistry laboratories and practical dentist offices in Hamaden is 15921.79 and 8677.56 Kg respectively. Production percentages of domestic type, chemical and pharmaceutical waste, potentially infectious and toxic wastes in practical dentist offices were 91.14, 6.7, 2.14 and 0.02 respectively. Dentistry laboratories solid waste comprises of 94.47 percent domestic type and 5.53 percent chemical and pharmaceutical waste. Main components of produced analyzed wastes were 2 components that consist of more than 80 percents of total dental solid waste. So, waste reduction, separation and recycling plans in the offices must be concentrated on these main components.
Conclusion: In order to waste suitable management, it is suggested that in addition to educate waste producer for waste reduction, separation and recycling in the offices, each section of dental waste (toxic, chemical and pharmaceutical, potentially infectious and domestic type wastes) separately and according to related criteria are managed.