Deficient management of infectious waste in dental clinics

University responsibility and its effect on the environment

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29166/od.v28i1.9541

Keywords:

Infectious Waste, Waste Management, Environmental Impact, Socio-Environmental Responsibility

Abstract

The management of infectious waste generated in university dental clinics represents an ethical, sanitary, and environmental challenge. Objective: To demonstrate, based on a review of scientific and regulatory literature, the management of infectious waste generated in university dental clinics and its relationship with environmental impact and institutional responsibility in the training and supervision of safe and sustainable practices. Materials and Methods: This study corresponds to a narrative bibliographic review with a qualitative approach, aimed at analyzing the environmental impact of infectious waste generated in university dental clinics, as well as institutional responsibility in its proper management. For this purpose, a descriptive and analytical documentary design was used, based on the review of scientific, regulatory, and technical literature published between 2015 and 2025. The analysis focused on the characterization and classification of dental waste, the environmental consequences derived from its inadequate management, the institutional management protocols implemented in the university setting, and the role of universities in fostering environmental awareness and social responsibility among future professionals, within the framework of university–community engagement. Results: The findings show shortcomings in waste segregation, the training of future professionals, and compliance with local and national regulations. They also present successful cases of waste management in universities in Brazil, Spain, and Mexico. Conclusion: Proper waste management requires curricular integration, sustainable policies, and community engagement programs.

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Author Biographies

Paola Rosana Pacají Ruiz, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro

Odontóloga, especialista en Atención Primaria de la Salud y máster en Educación. Es docente de la Carrera de Odontología de la Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, presidenta de la Comisión de Investigación de la Facultad Ciencias de la Salud y desarrolla proyectos relacionados con salud pública, bioseguridad, gestión de residuos sanitarios y epidemiología.

José Luis Brito Jurado, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro

Ingeniero agrónomo, máster en Nutrición Vegetal y en Educación, con mención en Educación Superior e Investigación. Es docente de la Carrera de Ingeniería Agropecuaria y Agronegocios de la Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí. Su trabajo se enfoca en la sostenibilidad ambiental, la gestión de recursos naturales, la producción agropecuaria y el análisis de impactos ambientales asociados a actividades productivas y de servicios.

Nayeli Yamileth Román Prado, Investigador independiente

Odontóloga investigadora, graduada con honores por Excelencia Académica en 2025, en la Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí. Ha participado en el Encuentro Científico Académica Profesional y en el II Congreso Internacional de Especialidades Odontológicas. Ha publicado para la Revista de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Cuenca y actualmente se está formando en Ortodoncia Correctiva.

Liz Estefanía Gordón Pinto, Investigador independiente

Odontóloga general por la Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí (2024). Es autora de la publicación científica “Rehabilitación estética en pacientes con sonrisa gingival: enfoques interdisciplinarios basados en la evidencia”, publicada en 2025 en Innova Science Journal. Su desarrollo profesional se orienta hacia la estética dental y la rehabilitación oral. Ha realizado capacitaciones especializadas (“Oclusión descomplicada: un abordaje clínico y racional” y “Carillas estratificadas en mano alzada”) y ha participado en congresos nacionales e internacionales.

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Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

Pacají Ruiz, P. R., Brito Jurado, J. L., Román Prado, N. Y., & Gordón Pinto, L. E. (2026). Deficient management of infectious waste in dental clinics: University responsibility and its effect on the environment. Odontología, 28(1), 31–40. https://doi.org/10.29166/od.v28i1.9541

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 1 (2026): Enero-Junio

Section

Bibliographic Reviews

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Copyright (c) 2026 Paola Rosana Pacají Ruiz, José Luis Brito Jurado

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.