Evaluación de la segregación de residuos por parte de los estudiantes de odontología en las clínicas odontológicas de la Universidad Santo Tomás durante el segundo periodo del 2020

Abstract

Introduction: The evolution of the dental profession in the use of new equipment, technologies and materials has increased the production of waste. The waste generated by clinical dental practice is part of the sanitary waste whose treatment and final disposal is a global concern. Objectives: Evaluate compliance with the protocols of the manual for the integral management of waste generated in health care and other activities of the Universidad Santo Tomás, sectional Bucaramanga, with students in the integral clinical practice Adult II, III and IV. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was carried out, with a sample of 156 seventh, eighth and ninth semester students who carry out their dental practice, where the management of waste segregation by dental students in dental schools was investigated. Santo Tomás University clinics. Data was collected through a virtual questionnaire on the Google forms platform based on the guidelines set forth in the manual for the comprehensive management of waste generated in health care and other activities of the Santo Tomás Seccional Bucaramanga University. The knowledge of the participants was evaluated through the questionnaire. The analysis was carried out in the STATA 14.0 program. Univariate analysis presents absolute frequency and percentage for qualitative variables and mean with standard deviation for quantitative variables. The bivariate analysis was performed with the Chi2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results: The surveyed students had an average age of 21 years, the majority belonged to stratum 3, they were in the seventh, eighth and ninth semesters. Regarding the knowledge and management of waste, 89.10% of the participants stated that they correctly deposited solid waste; 83.97% consider that they correctly classify the waste generated during clinical practice. Responding affirmatively about receiving information regarding the management and disposal of solid waste, among others, is associated with carrying out a correct management of waste in general (p <0.05). Conclusion: Despite the fact that less than 40% of the students know about the comprehensive waste management manual of the Santo Tomás University, 80% of the participants adequately respond to the waste disposal protocols.