@article{ART003352442},
author={Mi-Ae Sung and Joon Sakong and Jin-ju Kwon},
title={Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management},
journal={Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene},
issn={2287-1705},
year={2026},
volume={26},
number={3},
pages={361-370},
doi={10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9}
TY - JOUR
AU - Mi-Ae Sung
AU - Joon Sakong
AU - Jin-ju Kwon
TI - Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management
JO - Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
PY - 2026
VL - 26
IS - 3
PB - Korean Society of Dental Hygiene
SP - 361
EP - 370
SN - 2287-1705
AB - Objectives: To evaluate five-year changes (2012–2017) in dental medical waste management, high-risk instrument handling, and waterline maintenance, to identify persistent vulnerabilities, and to establish a baseline for assessing recent Radio Frequency Identification(RFID)-based policy changes in Korea. Methods: A longitudinal follow-up survey was conducted in 82 dental institutions using face-to-face interviews and structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and independent t-tests. Results: Despite 68.3% of respondents completing continuing education, inappropriate management of waste items (spittoon solids, contaminated impressions, and sensor covers) persisted in 37.7%–69.5% of institutions, with 4.9%–14.2% showing regression. Incorrect handling of scaler tips (58.5%) and waterlines (76.9%) remained high, whereas there was stable compliance with reusable linens (82.9 %) and endodontic files (71.9 %). Institutional accreditation was the most decisive factor, with accredited clinics achieving 100% compliance across all major categories (p<0.05), and the number of dentists, patient volume, and education were associated with partial improvements. Conclusions: Based on this five-year baseline survey, institutional accreditation was the strongest driver of sustained compliance in high-risk instrument, waste, and waterline management. Integrating incentive-based, rather than penalty-focused policies into the existing RFID-based system, with dentists and dental hygienists jointly leading infection-control coordination, may support a more sustainable dental infection-control framework.
KW - Follow-up studies;Health policy;Infection control;Dental;Medical waste
DO - 10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9
ER -
Mi-Ae Sung, Joon Sakong and Jin-ju Kwon. (2026). Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management. Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene, 26(3), 361-370.
Mi-Ae Sung, Joon Sakong and Jin-ju Kwon. 2026, "Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management", Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene, vol.26, no.3 pp.361-370. Available from: doi:10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9
Mi-Ae Sung, Joon Sakong, Jin-ju Kwon "Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management" Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene 26.3 pp.361-370 (2026) : 361.
Mi-Ae Sung, Joon Sakong, Jin-ju Kwon. Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management. 2026; 26(3), 361-370. Available from: doi:10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9
Mi-Ae Sung, Joon Sakong and Jin-ju Kwon. "Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management" Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene 26, no.3 (2026) : 361-370.doi: 10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9
Mi-Ae Sung; Joon Sakong; Jin-ju Kwon. Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management. Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene, 26(3), 361-370. doi: 10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9
Mi-Ae Sung; Joon Sakong; Jin-ju Kwon. Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management. Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene. 2026; 26(3) 361-370. doi: 10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9
Mi-Ae Sung, Joon Sakong, Jin-ju Kwon. Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management. 2026; 26(3), 361-370. Available from: doi:10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9
Mi-Ae Sung, Joon Sakong and Jin-ju Kwon. "Changes in dental waste management and infection control practices towards sustainable infection management" Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene 26, no.3 (2026) : 361-370.doi: 10.13065/jksdh.2026.26.3.9
