PLASTICS USED IN DENTAL CLINICS AND IRREGULAR DISPOSAL: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND CHALLENGES IN HEALTHCARE WASTE MANAGEMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71328/jht.v7i1.66Keywords:
dental waste; healthcare waste; disposable plastics; environmental impact; sustainable dentistry.Abstract
The use of disposable plastic materials in dental clinics has intensified in recent decades due to biosafety and infection control requirements. Although essential to clinical practice, these materials generate waste that, when improperly disposed of, causes environmental impacts and public health risks. This study aimed to analyze, through an integrative literature review, the main types of plastics used in dentistry, their classification as healthcare waste, the environmental and health impacts of improper disposal, and sustainable alternatives discussed in the literature. Searches were conducted in SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases using descriptors related to dental waste, disposable plastics, and sustainable dentistry. The results indicate that improper disposal remains frequent, especially in small and medium-sized clinics, due to management failures, lack of inspection, and insufficient professional training. It is concluded that dentistry plays a strategic role in adopting sustainable practices, requiring integration between legislation, environmental education, and professional ethical responsibility.
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