Managing patients' requests to keep teeth and plaster moulds

Patients, particularly younger patients, frequently ask dental care professionals if they can keep extracted teeth and plaster products such as moulds and models created as part of treatment. Dental practices are generally happy to agree to these items being retained by the patient, but it is essential that where they do allow it, the waste management obligations of the practice are met. Dental practices have a duty of care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (HM Government, 1990) and its regulations to ensure that the waste they produce does not cause pollution or present a hazard to health.

The European Union leads the way in regulating the management of waste and has compelled member states, including the United Kingdom, to introduce legislation to ensure that risks to public health and the environment from waste is minimised.