Dental amalgam procurement patterns and mercury levels in wastewater grab samples at Wits oral health centre (WOHC)
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Date
2019
Authors
Sudi, Stephen Mughanga
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Abstract
Background
Dental amalgam is an affordable, commonly used, and essential restorative material in primary oral health care provision in South Africa. Dental amalgam is composed of 43-50% liquid mercury. Over the past 40 years, concerns over the environmental effects of waste produced during the placement and removal of amalgam, have grown in parallel with the advancing knowledge of mercury eco-toxicity. The release of waste and residues produced during amalgam use to the environment poses a significant risk of mercury contamination.
Aim
The study aimed to describe dental amalgam procurement patterns, determine mercury levels in wastewater, and describe the best management practices at the Wits Oral Health Centre (WOHC) of the School of Oral Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand.
Methods
The procurement records at WOHC were accessed, and amounts of amalgam procured analysed for procurement trends. The wastewater generated at WOHC was collected through diversion and collection of the wastewater flow. The samples of wastewater collected were analysed for mercury concentrations at a laboratory. A structured interview was used to investigate the application of best management practices for dental amalgam use.
Results
The study revealed the increasing trend in the use of dental amalgam, high levels of mercury generated from amalgam use in wastewater at the WOHC. The best management practices for dental amalgam use were not adequately applied.
Conclusions
There is an urgent need to institute best management practice at the WOHC. There is a need to update the regulations and guidelines for amalgam waste management in South Africa. The establishment of best management practices should go hand in hand with building infrastructural support in amalgam waste management processes.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry
Johannesburg, 2019