Management of Dental Radiographic Waste

Abstract

Radiographs are used by the dentists for the diagnosis, and/or treatment of patients in the majority of the cases. These radiographs have become a third eye to the dentist. Even with the advent of digital imaging there are a large number of dental offices that use conventional methods to obtain the radiographic images. Unfortunately, the conventional radiographic procedures generate certain substances that present as potential challenge to the environment. Although individual dentists generate only small amount of environmentally hazardous wastes, the accumulated waste produced by the profession may have a significant environmental impact, which in turn may pose a risk to the human health. Thus, it becomes extremely important for the proper disposal of materials originated from conventional radiographic methods, in order to minimize the negative environmental impact. This paper addresses the environmental impact of dental radiographic waste and describes measures that can be taken by dentists and their team to reduce the production of potentially harmful wastes.