2016/10/26

Understanding Dental Waste

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Waste materials are routinely generated during the provision of oral healthcare in Dentists offices in Maryland and around the world. Most of this waste is nonhazardous and can be managed in the same way as household waste. However, some products used in dental practices can pose a risk to humans or the environment if discarded into landfills or poured down drains. These types of waste are regulated and must therefore be managed separately. Typically, two types of regulated waste are generated as a result of dental care: regulated medical waste, dental amalgam waste and hazardous chemical waste. These two types of waste each necessitate their own procedures and have different requirements for labeling, storage, disposal, and record-keeping.

Sharps

Contaminated disposable sharps (like needles) comprise the majority of regulated medical waste in dental practices. Proper storage and labeling of regulated medical waste is critical. Sharps containers must be color-coded or labeled, closable, leakproof on the sides and bottom, and placed as close as feasible to the location where the sharps are in use. OSHA requires that sharps be discarded as soon as possible after use, meaning that in most cases, the sharps container should be in the treatment room so that used needles, blades, wires, and other disposable sharps are not left until the end of the appointment to be discarded. Sharps containers should be capped when the contents reach the fill line and then discarded according to local regulations.

Medical Waste

Contaminated medical waste is generated as a product of healthcare and oral-health services when disposable items such as gauze are contaminated with blood, saliva, or other body fluids and when used sharp items such as needles and blades are discarded. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines regulated medical waste in the Blood-borne Pathogens Standard. Regulated medical waste is liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIMs), or items that would release the same if compressed. It also includes items that are caked with dried blood or OPIM that could be released during handling. Contaminated sharps and pathologic and microbiologic wastes that contain blood or OPIM are also regulated. All other waste, such as gloves, patient bibs, and disposable gauze that does not release blood, is not regulated but should be disposed and discarded in a manner that will not lead to accidental bare-handed contact by office or cleaning personnel.

Hazardous Dental Waste

Regulated hazardous waste includes products that are flammable, corrosive, toxic, or reactive, or pose some other risk to health or the environment. Hazardous waste can enter the environment either through solid waste sent to landfills or sanitary sewer systems when products are sent down the drain in the dental office. Hazardous material may enter the environment as a byproduct of dental procedures, such as when amalgam restorations are removed and high-speed suction lines carry the material to the wastewater stream. It may also enter the environment after use when disposing leftover or expired products that contain hazardous chemicals. Dental offices generate amalgam waste, which contains small traces of mercury, and various other hazardous and dangerous waste.  The ADA encourages dental offices to recycle this waste appropriately.  BWS provides the products and services to safely and efficiently dispose of dental amalgam waste. If your dental office is in need of waste removal management contact BWS for a free consultation. Check out our dental amalgam store for products and services.

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We provide an outstanding value and service to our regulated waste customers and pride ourselves on our 100% customer satisfaction with 99% customer retention ratio.

“Our office has been utilizing the services of Biomedical Waste Services, Inc. (BWS) for well over a decade. Their caring, dedicated, and professional team have made it an absolute pleasure to do business with. They are always prompt and courteous in providing whatever service we ask of them. We highly recommend them for your practice!!”

Paul R Miller, D.D.S. and Team

“Our experience with BWS has been uniformly positive. Their services are prompt, professional, and reliable. Their prices are fair and upfront, with no hidden or recurring charges. We highly recommend them as a vendor.”

ZytoGen Patient Services

“My review from 2019: Still using BWS and still think they're great! My review from 2016: We've been doing business with BWS for a few years now, and their service and pricing are great. We previously used a company who provides the same service in our area but overcharged us for years. I would definitely recommend BWS to anyone in the market for waste disposal at a great price with excellent service.”

“I have fantastic very dependable experience using BWS. I have used them weekly for the last 17 years in my dental practice. There always on the day that they're supposed to be, there's never been an issue with any of the invoices.”

Akbar Masood, D.D.S.

“BWS has been handling our biohazardous waste disposal for three years. They have always been helpful and dependable. I recommend them to all who need biohazardous waste disposal services.”

Chris Donaldson

“Been working with BWS for 10+ years. Fantastic service, always on time and polite.”

Dharani Jasthi

“Prompt, professional, and awesome business. We have worked with them for years and couldn't be happier.”

Tomicka Jackson-George, D.M.D.

“I've used BWS for several years now. Their service is great and their fees are very reasonable, making BWS a great value in hazardous waste removal.”

Louis Sachs, D.D.S.

“Professional and always on time! Great service!”

Kate Blair English

“Great option for healthcare waste management. BWS is an independent owned professional organization that is built on integrity and trust. There is no other company in the region that I'd recommend more. Most others say the right things the folks at BWS do the right thing. I'll continue to recommend them.”

Dave Ryan

We are a medical practice in a new location and needed hazardous waste removal services. We have been so pleased with the level of service and professionalism on both the admin and field work end of BWS services, and their pricing is fair and flexible. We would highly recommend them to any medical practice in need of these services.

Kerry Owens, Avalon Plastic Surgery

Every staff member that I have interacted with has been very friendly. They are quick to respond to emails and do a great job.

Jamie Fleming, National Spine & Pain Centers

Excellent company. Received notification that I was on schedule, showed up as promised, and very professional service from office to driver. Excellent service!!!

Keith Roberts, Biomatrix Specialty Pharmacy

Great service! They are always responsive and ready to help. 100% recommended.

Mireia Pedragosa Marin, Synergy Research

They were responsive and quickly start services. They were also great at answering all my questions and updating on when services would start.

Rebecca Crouse, Randolph Macon Academy

We used BWS for sharps disposal at a doctor's office. I saw their bright truck in the parking lot at work which lead me to call for a quote. They responded to my inquiry quickly and thoroughly, answering all my questions. They gave me pricing that was very reasonable, and lower than many companies I checked. They were a pleasure to communicate with via phone and email, no phone tag! The truck arrived the day and time we planned. The driver was very personable and easy to communicate with. The people I interacted with seem to understand the value of customer service. I would highly recommend them. They will take care of you.

Melissa C, Patriot Chiropractic

Excellent, professional service and very reasonable price on medical waste removal. Danielle was fantastic to work with - thanks Danielle!

Dr. Rosario Ignacio

Reliable and affordable

Dr. Thomas Lutz, Odenton Family Dentistry

I've used BWS for several years now. Their service is great and their fees are very reasonable, making BWS a great value in hazardous waste removal. Over the 20+ years that I have used them the scope of their services has increased as well as making documentation of their service easier to use!

Dr. Louis Sachs, DDS

I ran a dental charity for many years, organizing huge clinics to treat those in need. BWS donated their waste disposal services for every clinic for many years, and they continue to do so to this day. This is always a huge job, and they are always reliable, dedicated, and fun to work with. They know what it means to give back.

Eric B.

Great service & professional reps

Brenda Shah

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