Week 7 (Chapter 18): Waste Management

What are the two basic types of waste generated in a dental office?

Regulated medical waste and nonregulated medical waste.

List the five types of regulated waste in dentistry.

1. Liquid or semiliquid waste 2. Contaminated items that would release blood or OPIM 3. Items caked with dried blood or OPIM 4. Contaminated sharps 5. Pathological or microbial waste.

What does OPIM stand for?

Other Potentially Infectious Material.

What is the definition of medical waste?

Any solid waste generated during patient diagnosis, treatment, or immunization in healthcare facilities.

What is infectious waste?

A small subset of medical waste capable of transmitting an infectious disease, also known as regulated medical waste.

What is the key factor in determining regulated waste in dental offices?

The presence of blood or other potentially infectious material (OPIM).

What guidelines do the CDC recommend for medical waste management?

1. Develop a medical waste management program. 2. Train all personnel who handle waste about health hazards.

What color-coded bag should blood-soaked materials be placed in?

A yellow liner bag labeled with the universal biohazard symbol.

What should be done with contaminated sharps?

They must be disposed of in a yellow puncture-resistant, leak-proof container labeled with the universal biohazard symbol.

Which of the following items is always considered a contaminated sharp, regardless of whether visible blood is present?

Needles, scalpels, ortho wire, broken instruments, burs

A dental assistant is cleaning up after a scaling procedure and finds a disposable saliva ejector that is slightly pink but not dripping. How should this be disposed of?

In the regular office trash

During a biopsy, a small piece of gingival tissue is removed. In which waste category does this belong?

Pathological waste

What is the proper disposal method for extracted teeth containing amalgam?

They should be discarded according to the guidelines for mercury-containing waste.

What is the recommended method for sterilizing waste containers?

Steam autoclaving is the method of choice.

Which of the following best defines medical waste in a dental or medical facility?

Any solid waste generated during patient diagnosis, treatment, or immunization.

What is another commonly used term for infectious waste that requires strict legal oversight?

Regulated Medical Waste

What should be done with liquid blood or saliva waste?

It must be regulated and can be discharged to sanitary sewers if local regulations permit.

Which characteristic must waste possess to be classified specifically as infectious waste?

It must have shown a capability of transmitting an infectious disease.

What is the definition of hazardous waste?

Waste that poses a risk to humans or the environment.

If an item is saturated with saliva and blood to the point of dripping, how must it be handled compared to general medical waste?

It requires special handling and disposal in a biohazard container.

What is the primary difference between 'Medical Waste' and 'Infectious Waste'?

Medical waste is the total generated, while infectious waste is the regulated subset.

A technician finds a discarded bib used during a routine exam with no visible blood. Is this 'Infectious Waste'?

No, because it does not show a capability of transmitting disease.

Which of these items is most likely to be part of the 3% subset of regulated medical waste?

A used anesthetic needle.

What are the three core requirements for managing Regulated Medical Waste?

Special handling, neutralization, and disposal.

What must be done if blood-soaked materials are to remain on site for more than four days?

They must be stored in a refrigerated area marked 'Biomedical Waste Storage Area'.

What is the proper handling procedure for contaminated sharps?

Immediately place them in closable, leak-proof, puncture-resistant containers after use.

A piece of gingival tissue from a biopsy is placed in a bag. What is the correct label for this bag?

Universal Biohazard Symbol

Under CDHO guidelines, when can a tooth be disposed of as 'general office waste'?

If the tooth does not contain an amalgam restoration.

What is the requirement for a container used to hold non-sharp regulated medical waste, such as soft tissue?

It must be color-coded, labeled, and prevent leakage (e.g., a biohazard bag).

According to general OSHA/CDC guidelines, why is it acceptable to place an extracted tooth in a sharps container?

Because they are hard and can potentially puncture a standard biohazard bag.

What should be done with gauze, cotton rolls, and examination gloves that do not release liquid when compressed?

They can be disposed of as regular waste.

What is the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in waste management?

OSHA regulates blood borne pathogens and hazardous materials handling in healthcare settings.

What is the definition of contaminated waste?

Items that have been in contact with blood or other body secretions.

What should be used to contain nonsharp regulated medical waste?

Color-coded and labeled containers that prevent leakage, such as biohazard bags.

What is the purpose of a medical waste management program?

To ensure safe handling, neutralization, and disposal of medical waste.

What are the risks associated with improperly disposed sharps?

They can cause injury and potential transmission of infectious diseases.

What is the recommended action if blood or body fluids are to be disposed of?

Pour them carefully into a drain connected to a sanitary sewer system, following local regulations.

What is the significance of the biohazard symbol?

It indicates that the container holds potentially infectious waste.

What is the recommended storage for blood-soaked materials if they cannot be disposed of immediately?

They should be stored in a refrigerated area to prevent decomposition.

What should be done with sharps containers once full?

They must be released to an approved biomedical waste carrier for disposal.

A discarded developer solution from an X-ray processor is hazardous because it is corrosive. This is best described as:

Hazardous Waste

Which term describes solid waste generated during the immunization of animals?

Medical Waste

Which of these is the most accurate synonym for 'Regulated Medical Waste'?

Infectious medical waste requiring special handling.

If an extracted tooth is NOT returned to the patient, it is categorized as:

Regulated medical waste (Pathological)

What is the definition of toxic waste?

Waste that has a poisonous effect.

Which of these extracted teeth must be handled with extra caution and NOT placed in a container meant for incineration?

A tooth with an amalgam restoration

Why is saliva specifically classified as 'Other Potentially Infectious Material' (OPIM) in a dental office but not always in other medical settings?

Because in dentistry, saliva is frequently contaminated with blood during procedures

What is the defining characteristic of 'Hazardous Waste'?

It poses a risk to humans or the environment.

What is the final step after soaking an amalgam-containing tooth in glutaraldehyde for the required time?

Rinse the tooth thoroughly

A student needs an extracted tooth for a 'tooth morphology' class. If the tooth has no amalgam, what is the best way to ensure it is safe for them to handle?

Neutralize it via steam autoclaving.

Items that have been in contact with blood or body secretions but are not saturated are simply called:

Contaminated Waste

Which of these is NOT a heat-based method mentioned for waste neutralization?

Chemical immersion in glutaraldehyde

What symbol must containers for biomedical waste be labeled with?

A biohazard symbol

Where should sharps containers be located according to the CDC?

As close as practical to the work area

What type of containers should be used for sharps disposal?

Rigid, puncture-resistant containers

What should you avoid doing with sharps when disposing of them?

Forcing sharps into containers

What symbol must be displayed on the refrigerated storage area for biomedical waste?

The Universal Biohazard symbol.

Which items can be disposed of in the regular garbage even if they have touched blood?

Gauze and gloves that do not release liquid when compressed.

According to CDHO guidelines, what color liner bag must be used for blood-soaked materials?

Yellow

A dental office has a yellow biohazard bag that has been sitting for more than 4 days. What is the required storage protocol

It must be moved to a refrigerated storage area marked biomedical waste storage area.

What is the recommended action when a sharps container is filled?

Replace it as soon as it reaches the designated fill line

Drop syringes ________ into containers.

Horizontally

What is the maximum fill level for sterilization containers?

Fill no more than ¾ full

What should be done with amalgam waste?

Recycle it as much as possible

What should not be done with amalgam waste?

Do not rinse amalgam over a drain or sink

How should lead waste be disposed of?

It should be recycled and not thrown in the trash or flushed down sinks

What is a hazardous material related to silver disposal?

Fixer solution used to develop X-rays

What training should staff handling chemicals receive?

Training by the workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS)

What are the minimum standards for biomedical waste containers?

They should be lined, rigid, leak-proof, and sealed

What is the requirement for the storage area of biomedical waste?

It should be secure, not accessible to the public, and clearly marked with the biohazard symbol

What must be done before transporting biomedical waste off-site?

Package the waste according to guidelines

What should be done with treated biomedical waste at disposal sites?

It should be supervised by the operator of the site

What type of waste does biomedical waste include?

Human anatomical, human blood, animal anatomical, and microbiology laboratory waste

What is cytotoxic waste?

Waste consisting of cytotoxic drugs or medicinal chemicals

What is the proper way to dispose of chemicals in the workplace?

Follow WHMIS training and guidelines

What should be done with sharps containers before moving them?

Close the containers

What is the consequence of illegally dumping waste?

The office is responsible for the illegal dumping

What should be done with waste that has come into contact with infected human blood?

It should be treated as biomedical waste

What is the purpose of labeling waste containers?

To ensure easy identification and compliance with regulations

What should be used to clean lines that have been in contact with amalgam?

Line cleaners with a pH between 6-8

What is the role of a waste management company in biomedical waste disposal?

They must have a waste management system certificate of approval

What should be done with treated biomedical waste before final disposal?

Cover it with other waste or cover material to prevent direct contact

According to the 2003 CDC guidelines, how should bulk liquid blood or suctioned fluids be disposed of in a dental office?

By pouring them carefully into a drain connected to a sanitary sewer system.

What must a dental professional check before pouring liquid waste into the sink drain?

Local sewage discharge requirements and state-acceptable methods.

While pouring liquid waste, which piece of PPE is most critical for protecting the mucous membranes from accidental splashing?

A mask and safety eyewear (or a face shield).

How do federal agencies (OSHA, CDC) classify 'free-flowing' blood in a medical or dental setting?

Regulated infectious medical waste.

According to the guidelines, who must supervise the disposal of treated biomedical waste at the site?

The operator of the site or a designated person

Why should other waste or cover material be placed over the biomedical waste immediately?

To prevent direct contact between site equipment and the waste

Hazard signs

Compressed gas

What is signs

Corrosive

What is this

Oxidizing

What is this sign?

Explosion hazard

What is this image?

Harmful or fatal

What is this image?

Biohazardous/infectious

What is this image?

Health hazard

What is this image?

Harmful

What is this image?

Flammable material

What is this image?

Harmful to the environment