How to Dispose of Dental Anesthetic Carpules

Modern Practice Solutions, LLC receives many calls about how to dispose dental anesthetic carpules and other pharmaceutical waste. Recently, the American Dental Association published “Stericycle Contracts: Read the Fine Print – Dentists Question Business Practices” in the June 20, 2016 edition of ADA News. Dentists now search for affordable waste disposal options to avoid costly contracts.

Managing Dental Anesthetic Carpules

To properly manage dental anesthetic carpules, you must first distinguish the type of waste.

• Carpules with Visible Blood
  Classify carpules with visible blood as biohazardous sharps waste. Place them in a sharps container for proper medical waste disposal.
• Empty, Unbroken Carpules
  Dispose of carpules with no remaining anesthetic or aspirated blood as general waste. Check local and state regulations before disposal. In Tennessee, empty carpules can go in the trash if they contain no blood or anesthetic, though using sharps containers is considered best practice. Note: Minnesota classifies this as hazardous pharmaceutical waste.
• Carpules with Anesthetic
  Dispose of carpules containing anesthetic as pharmaceutical waste. Transport them to a medical waste incinerator for proper disposal.

Find Affordable Waste Disposal

For affordable waste disposal, consider Sharps Compliance, Inc. and other vendors offering pay-as-you-go options. Sharps Compliance, Inc. provides the TakeAway Environmental Return System, an excellent choice for small dental offices. Visit Sharps Compliance, Inc. to learn more about this program.