Background and aim: The purpose of this study was to analyze the components of waste products generated at dental centers.Materials and methods: In this study, 37 dental centers were studied in 9 regions which were selected using regional sampling pattern. Each of the three waste samples at the end of three consecutive working days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday each week) were analyzed. Samples were separated manually and weighed and divided into 64 different components. Measured components were categorized based on the characteristics and potential hazards. The Excel software was used for data and statistical analysis.Results: The total amount of waste generated per year in dental offices was 62661.60 kg. The volumes of generated infectious, domestic, pharmaceutical, and poisonous chemical waste products were 50.50%, 39.04%, 9.55%, and 0.91% respectively. These findings were similar to the results of other researches conducted prior to this study.Conclusion: Understanding the components of dental waste materials is essential for proper waste management including collection, processing, transport, and disposal of hazardous products.

Introduction: Today, one of the most important environmental issues is dental solid wastes that because of the presence of hazardous, toxic and pathogen agents have special importance. In this study, solid waste produced in Shahroud general dental offices was studied.Methods: In this descriptive study, all dental offices in Shahrood were selected. From each office 3 samples were analyzed at the end of successive working days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). Samples were manually sorted into different 64 components and by means of laboratory scale were measured. Then, measured components were classified on the basis of characteristic and hazardous potential as well as material type.Results: Total annual waste produced in dental offices in Shahrood is 2425.48 kg. Production percentages of infectious, domestic type, chemical and pharmaceutical, and toxic wastes were 46.0%, 43.8%, 9.2% and 1.0%, respectively.Conclusion: For the proper management of dental waste, it is suggested that in addition to educating dentists in waste reduction, separation and recycling inside the offices, each section of dental waste be managed separately and according to related criteria.

Introduction: Given that in Iran, there is a potential need to address issues related to dentistry, this study attempt to explain the components that affect the possibility of choosing dental offices by patients to identify key roots of office. Methods: This research is a practical research in terms of research purpose and the statistical population of the present study is all customers of dental offices in western Mazandaran province. The number of statistical samples based on Morgan table is at least 384 people using cluster sampling. In this study, to measure the factors affecting customer choice, the questionnaire (Kim, 2011), (Lu et al., 2015) and (Lee et al., 2013) were used. To determine the validity, confirmatory factor analysis was used using LISREL software. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics including Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and structural equation modeling. Results: The research findings indicate that each of the factors including facilities and equipment (path coefficient 0. 61), services (path coefficient 0. 57), dentist attributes (path coefficient 0. 49), professional appearance of dentist (path coefficient 0. 38) and dental practice attributes (path coefficient 0. 44) affect the likelihood of customers choosing a dental office. Conclusion: Due to the increase in dental offices and the intensity of competition between them, so by using the results of this research and by adopting a solution in the field of identified factors, especially the most important, ie appropriate facilities and equipment which have significant impact on the choice of customers, dental offices can improve their competitive position.

Background and Aim: Today, one of the most important environmental issues is dental solid wastes which are of great importance because of the presence of hazardous, toxic and pathogen agents. In this survey, solid waste produced in Hamedan general dental offices is evaluated.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, from 104 general dental offices in Hamedan , 10 offices were selected in simple random way. From each offices, 3 sample at the end of successive working day (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) were analyzed. Samples were manually sorted into different 74 components and measured by means of laboratory scale. Then, measured components were classified in the basis of characteristic and hazardous potential as well as material type.Results: Total annual waste produced in general dental offices in Hamadan is 14662.67 Kg (9315.45>95.0% Confidence Interval>20009.88). Production percentages of infectious, domestic type, chemical and pharmaceutical and toxic wastes were 51.93, 38.16, 9.47, 0.44 respectively. Main components of produced dental waste were 14 components that consist of more than 80 percents of total dental solid waste. So, waste reduction, separation and recycling plans in the offices must be concentrated on these main components.Conclusion: In order to dental waste proper management, it is suggested that in addition to educate dentists for waste reduction, separation and recycling in the offices, each section of dental waste(toxic,chemical and pharmaceutical, infectious and domestic type wastes) separately and according to related criteria should be managed.

Background: Patient’s anxiety and thus not referring to dental offices for receiving dental services may inappropriately affect inadequately on community development indicators. There are limited studies in this area, and the results are usually inconsistent. This study was then carried out with the aim of determining the dental anxiety among patients referred to private offices in Mashhad.Methods: In this descriptive study, a total number of 400 patients who had referred to private dental offices in Mashhad participated. Data were then, collected using Dental Anxiety Scale. Validity and reliability of the scale had been determined and approved in the previous studies. Data were analyzed through SPSS software using T-Test, ANOVA, Pearson Correlation Coefficient, and Spearman Correlation Coefficient.Results: Of all the participants, 16.8% had mild, 58.8% moderate and 24.8% severe dental anxiety. Mean score of dental anxiety was higher in women (12.4±3.91) than men (9.19±3.89) (p<0.001). Divorced and dead couple subjects (13.39±4) had a higher level of dental anxiety than the married and singles. Regarding the job, the highest level of dental anxiety was observed in the housewives (12.89±3.77). Dental anxiety was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.125, p=0.013), number of dental visit (r=-0.143, p=0.004), education level (r=-0.319, p<0.001) and income level (r=-0.415, p<0.001).Conclusion: As the rate of dental anxiety was higher among women especially housewives and also it was negatively correlated with age, education level and income, people with such characteristics should be addressed in educational programs in this area.

Introduction: The quality of dental unit water is of considerable importance since patients and dental staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated from the dental unit. Following ADA instruction, this study was performed to control the contamination of Dental Unit Water Line (DUWL) to less than 200 CFU/ml. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbiology of DUWL at dental offices and dental faculty of Babol.Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, DUWL of dental offices from different areas as well as that of the dental faculty of Babol was microbiologically evaluated. An amount of five ml water from the syringes and high speed hand pieces before and 2 minutes after flushing and drinking water of units and tap water were gathered in three different sterile polyethylene dishes. Then the samples were cultured on the specific media and the number of the bacterial colonies was counted after keeping at 37°c for 48 hours. The data were analysed by SPSS software and chi-square, Fisher's exact and Paired t-tests as well as ANOVA were used.Results: 33.3% of all species samples were positive for presence of bacteria.Microorganisms isolated were as follow: Staphilococcus aureus, coliform, ecoli, pseudomonas aeroginosa, streptococcus (except β hemolytic group A), klebsiella, coagulase negative staphylococcus and proteus.The number of the colonies was more than the standard limit. Contamination of the water of handpieces was less reduced after flushing. Consummation of tap water compared to the water of handpleces was less and mean. Contamination of the samples gathered from the dental offices was higher than those gathered from the dental faculty.Conclusion: Flushing decreases the contamination of DUWL, but in surgeries and in persons with immunodeficiency, the use of other methods of DUWL control and decontamination is recommended.  

Introduction: Contamination of dental unit water lines has received a great deal of attraction in recent years mainly due to its role in bacterial infection among immunocom promised and vulnerable people. The purpose of this study was microbiological evaluation of dental units outflow operating in private clinics and the dental units active at dentistry faculty of Kurdistan university, Sanandaj, Iran.Methods & materials: In this descriptive analytical study the total number of 250 water samples were collected; four specimen per unit. The samples were cultured on the specific media and the number of bacterial colonies were counted after keeping at 37°c for 48 hours.Results: The result of this study showed no strong indication to claim a significant difference between private clinics and university units in terms of bacterial infections. However, in average the contamination level of the specimens obtained from the private dental clinics was lower than those found from the university’s units. A notable decline of the contamination in handpieces’ water was observed after flushing. Compared to the water of handpieces, the contamination of tap water was also observed to be lower.Conclusion: The result of this study showed that microbiological level of dental unit water lines is high. The dentists must be aware of the high level of microorganisms in the dental unit's water and thus minimize the risk of infection for both staff and patients.

Background and Aim: Among the medical wastes, dental wastes have a high diversity and due to its high contents of hazardous, toxic, and pathogenic agents, therefore these wastes are of great importance. The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the amount of waste produced in dentistry offices in Birjand. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 48 dental offices in the city of Birjand were studied. Sampling was carried out by environmental health experts in three consecutive working days (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) from every center. The Samples were divided into 5 categories such as semi-domestic, infectious, chemical-pharmaceutical, toxic and sharp material, Separated and weighed using a laboratory scale. Information was expressed as percentage by weight. Results: Based on the results, the total amount of waste produced in dental offices in Birjand was 7848. 02 kg / year. percentages of semi-domestic, infectious, chemical-pharmaceutical, sharp material, and toxic wastes were 54. 3%, 29. 7%, 11. 8%, 3. 9% and 0. 11% respectively. Conclusion: Considering the high volume of dental waste, especially infectious and hazardous materials, the need for separation and recycling in the office is evident. It is necessary to manage the wastes and their separation and recycling in source place.