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Disposal of PPE during COVID?

CDC’s current Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic can be accessed at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dental-settings.html ¹

This document contains several references pertaining to disposal and waste, For example:

For DHCP working in facilities located in areas with moderate to substantial community transmission…

After completion of dental care:
1. Remove gloves.
2. Remove gown or protective clothing and discard the gown in a dedicated container for waste or linen.

• Discard disposable gowns after each use.
• Launder cloth gowns or protective clothing after each use.

3. Exit the patient room or care area.
4. Perform hand hygiene (wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer).
5. Remove eye protection.

• Carefully remove eye protection by grabbing the strap and pulling upwards and away from head. Do not touch the front of the eye protection.
• Clean and disinfect reusable eye protection according to manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions prior to reuse.
• Discard disposable eye protection after use.

6. Remove and discard surgical mask or respirator.

• Do not touch the front of the respirator or mask.
• Surgical mask: Carefully untie the mask (or unhook from the ears) and pull it away from the face without touching the front.
• Respirator: Remove the bottom strap by touching only the strap and bring it carefully over the head. Grasp the top strap and bring it carefully over the head, and then pull the respirator away from the face without touching the front of the respirator. ¹

And,

Clean and disinfect the room and equipment according to the Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings—2003 pdf icon ¹

The abovenamed document contains a section pertaining to medical waste.

And,

• Manage laundry and medical waste in accordance with routine policies and procedures. ¹

Further information about waste management during the COVID-19 pandemic can be accessed at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/faq.html#Waste-Management ²

If you have further questions about this topic, it is recommended that you consult with your state dental board or state dental professional organization for further information. Recommendations and requirements may vary by state.

Resources

1) U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dental-settings.html Accessed on December 6, 2020.

2) U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers – Waste Management. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/faq.html#Waste-Management Accessed on December 6, 2020.

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