Evaluation of the quantity of the single use plastic waste products in dental practice and hospital setup
Author(s): Ankita Bajaj*, Aayushi Sangal, Shivani Dadwal Salaria, Sunny Tandon, Rajeev Kumar Singh and Visuja Chaudhary
Abstract
Objectives: Aim: To estimate the amount of single-use plastic trash created by dental treatment in Indian healthcare system. Methods: Observational studies were carried out at four dental practices and the clinics of a dental teaching hospital in India. As a result, competent and calibrated observers monitored all aspects of dental care from exams to endodontic procedures to direct-placement fillings to implant dentistry. Items such as pre- and post-pandemic personal protective equipment (PPE) were included as well. Results: Every time a patient is treated, common surgery set up generic products contributes a substantial amount plastic garbage. For each process, an average of twenty-one single-use plastic (SUP) garbage products (averaging 354 g in mass) are utilized (including set up and clean up). Pre-COVID-19 PPE was raised from 14 to 19 pieces during the epidemic. An approximately 50/50 distribution of plastics is used to make SUP objects, whether they are made from a single plastic or a combination of plastics (heteropolymers). Conclusions: There is a significant amount of single-use plastic used by the dentistry industry at the point of service, which ends up in the clinical waste stream. It is estimated that single-use plastic was used in every healthcare operation during the COVID 19 epidemic. PPE (personal protective equipment) usage rose dramatically throughout the pandemic. Clinical Significance: Companies in the oral healthcare industry have the chance to test out and execute waste management strategies focused on reduction, recovery, and recycling if they want to move toward a circular plastics economy in their industry.