Disposing of dental waste at a local pharmacy trash container or the nearby hospital container is a poor waste management strategy that can be detrimental. These wastes can potentially transmit and induce illnesses and may cause damage to the practitioner, the individuals in the dentist’s proximity, waste collectors, the public, and the ecosystem by producing contaminants. Specifically, amalgam dental materials used for tooth filling contain various metals such as mercury, silver, zinc, copper, and tin. For example, mercury in direct contact with skin and mucous membranes can cause allergic skin irritation. Moreover, when amalgam is carelessly disposed of, people exposed to silver and other metals in waste may have their deposition in their bodies and tissues. Deposition of metals can have long-term harmful effects, such as extreme skin sores. Thus, it is necessary for such waste to be disposed of in separate containers and for only the required amount to be used to avoid wastage.
Nevertheless, the method of waste disposal is unsuitable; for instance, when dental waste combines with other used medical equipment, they increase the chances of injuries from sharp objects such as a syringe. The cases when a used needle pierces the waste handlers can instill fear and trauma in people since some used objects can be infected with transmissible diseases and lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, the waste items should be packed in containers, which must be resilient to penetration and leaking and have the requisite labels. Further, the waste handlers who will be disposing of the sharps should be able to see the disposable containers and be easily accessible. Important factors like the placement of disposable containers in high-traffic areas, under sinks, within cabinets, or near light switches should also be considered.