Disposal options for infectious medical waste generated during home-based dental care.

The number of dentists providing mobile care is increasing. One of the challenges the mobile dentist faces is proper handling and disposal of infectious medical waste generated during patient care. Mobile dentists must concern themselves with meeting Federal, state, and local regulations. Federal agencies that have jurisdiction over this issue are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). EPA guidelines are summarized and clarified with respect to pre-transportation and transportation issues. Compliance with OSHA standards are addressed through presentation of a sample protocol for handling infectious medical waste. It is beyond the scope of this paper to discuss in detail the policies of each municipality, and practitioners are advised to consult with state and local authorities regarding proper handling and transportation of this material. Using the information presented in this paper, the mobile dentist can approach this complex issue in an organized manner.