DANB Dental Waste Management

Question 1

How should extracted teeth containing amalgam restorations be disposed of?

Accepted Answer

As regulated medical waste, not as hazardous waste, unless they will be sent to a recycler

Answer

Extracted teeth with amalgam should be disposed of as regulated medical waste (not incinerated due to mercury vapors) or sent to an amalgam recycler. They should not be placed in biohazard waste intended for incineration.

Question 2

What is the proper disposal method for used anesthetic cartridges?

Accepted Answer

Place in sharps containers as they may contain residual medication and have needle penetration points

Answer

Used anesthetic cartridges should be disposed of in sharps containers because they may contain residual pharmaceutical waste and their rubber stoppers have been penetrated by needles, posing a potential sharps hazard.

Question 3

What dental materials are considered hazardous waste under EPA regulations?

Accepted Answer

Amalgam waste, lead foils from old film packets, and certain disinfectants/chemicals

Answer

EPA-regulated hazardous waste in dental offices includes scrap amalgam and amalgam captured by traps/filters, lead-containing waste, certain photographic chemicals (fixer solution), and some concentrated disinfectants.

Question 4

What is the purpose of amalgam separators in dental offices?

Accepted Answer

To capture amalgam particles from wastewater before it enters the municipal sewer system

Answer

The EPA Dental Rule requires amalgam separators to capture amalgam particles from dental office wastewater, preventing mercury contamination of water treatment facilities and the environment.

Question 5

How should pharmaceutical waste (expired medications) be disposed of in a dental office?

Accepted Answer

Through a reverse distributor or hazardous waste contractor, not through regular waste or the sewer system

Answer

Pharmaceutical waste including expired local anesthetics, fluoride compounds, and controlled substances must be disposed of through authorized contractors or reverse distributors, never through regular waste streams or sewer systems.

DANB Infection Control Exam Practice Test

DANB Infection Control Exam Practice Test

DANB Dental Waste Management