Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Dental Waste Management Among Dental Practitioners in Chitwan

Abstract

Introduction: Dental wastes are discarded materials after dental treatment which includes sharp instruments, infectious waste and body fluid, human parts, toxic agents, chemical, plastics body fluid etc. which are hazardous to health if not managed and disposed in proper way. So, dentists should manage such waste properly. This study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of dental practitioners in and surrounding district of Chitwan.

Methods: This study was descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted among 142 dental practitioners from June 2020 to August 2020 in Chitwan. This was a questionnaire-based study. Answers were coded with points and summarized and analyzed using descriptive statistics by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16.

Results: Out of 142 study population 21% had excellent knowledge, 37% had positive attitude and 23% had good practice regarding dental waste management in and around Chitwan district of Nepal.

Conclusions: Dental surgeons involving in this study has good academic knowledge of waste management, have positive attitude towards management of such waste and to upgrade knowledge, have good practice and think of better in conjunction with governing bodies.