ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND HEALTH RISKS IN MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT: A STUDY OF DENTAL CLINICS IN MISRATA.

Dental clinics generate various types of medical waste, including solid, liquid, gaseous, and radioactive materials, originating from diverse sources and treatment processes. This study evaluates dentists' awareness of medical waste management practices, including waste segregation, associated risks, and occupational safety measures like immunization, disinfection, and sterilization.. Ninty-four private dental practitioners in Misrata participated in this study through a self-administered questionnaire. The methods used included a combination of quantitative analysis and descriptive statistics to assess awareness and practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results revealed that 55.3% of practitioners lacked knowledge about medical waste management. Alarmingly, 69.1% admitted to disposing of chemical waste via the city's sewer system. Notably, 51.1% of practitioners continued to use amalgam in their clinics despite its environmental hazards. The study revealed that a significant number of practitioners lack familiarity with the policies and guidelines for the management, segregation, and risks of medical waste within the city. This deficiency is largely attributed to a lack of vocational training. Therefore, it is essential to educate dental practitioners on proper waste management practices and procedures to address this issue.