How staff training can improve perceptions and knowledge on waste management in dentistry.

Introduction The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland suggests that implementation of sustainable waste practices within dentistry is a small but significant step to tackle the profession’s environmental burden. Poor waste segregation can lead to increased atmospheric methane gas which is one of the largest contributors to climate change. Objectives To measure staff perceptions/ knowledge on health-care waste management. To improve staff knowledge of appropriate waste management in dentistry and their understanding of the environmental impact of incorrect disposal of dental waste. Methods Within a UK secondary care dental hospital setting, a questionnaire was issued to staff to ascertain current knowledge and opinions on dental waste management. Several methods aiming to improve staff knowledge were implemented prior to issuing a second survey. Results Of initial respondents, 73% answered that they think about environmental sustainability daily/ weekly. However, 56% lacked confidence in their knowledge of waste segregation. They perceived the biggest health-care contributors to carbon footprint were lack of recycling facilities, patient/ staff travel and plastic disposal. Following teaching, 95% of those who attended had increased knowledge and awareness. Conclusions This project highlighted that many dental staff do not feel that they have appropriate training on correct waste management as part of their induction. The benefits of improving staff knowledge on the sustainable waste practices, cannot be under-estimated due to growing global concern of climate change. This project has highlighted that teaching led to improvement in staff knowledge and confidence.