Professional Evaluation of Dental Waste Management Practices in University Teaching Hospitals in South West Nigeria

Improper dental waste management poses environmental and occupational health risks, and professional evaluation of current practices at South West Nigerian teaching hospitals identifies compliance gaps and reform priorities. This study evaluated dental waste management practices at the dental departments of three university teaching hospitals in South West Nigeria: University College Hospital Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Ile-Ife, and Lagos University Teaching Hospital. A mixed evaluation methodology was applied, combining structured facility waste management audits, review of waste management policies and records, and questionnaire surveys of 60 dental staff across the three institutions. Evaluation assessed waste segregation accuracy, sharps disposal compliance, amalgam waste handling, chemical waste management, and staff training history. Results showed that waste segregation at the point of generation was adequate in only 43.3 percent of clinical areas. Amalgam waste was correctly separated from general waste in all three hospitals, but disposal to licensed amalgam recyclers was practised in only one institution. Sharps container use was consistently followed at 91.7 percent. Chemical waste including X-ray fixer was inappropriately disposed via drains in two of three hospitals. Staff waste management training in the preceding year had been received by 46.7 percent. Recommendations include mandatory annual dental waste management training, licensed amalgam waste contractor engagement, and installation of chemical waste neutralisation systems for radiographic waste at all three institutions.

Keywords: dental waste management, teaching hospitals, South West Nigeria, amalgam waste, clinical waste disposal