Sharps are produced at every chair, every day: needles, local anaesthetic cartridges, burs, blades, files, matrix bands and orthodontic wire. The colour of the lid decides how the waste is treated. Part-used cartridges still contain medicine, so they are medicinally contaminated sharps and need a yellow-lidded container for incineration. Orange-lidded containers are for sharps with no medicinal contamination, which can be treated by other approved methods. Because cartridges are used at almost every appointment, most practices simply use yellow-lidded containers at the chair.
The Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 require employers to reduce the risk of sharps injuries, including placing sharps containers close to where sharps are used, training staff and having a clear procedure for needlestick injuries. Containers must meet the relevant standard, be assembled correctly, be labelled with the practice name and dates, be closed at the fill line and be stored securely until collection.
What is included
- Yellow-lidded sharps containers for part-used cartridges and medicinally contaminated sharps
- Orange-lidded containers where practices separate non-medicinal sharps
- Container sizes matched to each surgery, from small chairside units upwards
- Collection of full, locked containers with the correct paperwork
- Burs, files, blades, matrix bands and orthodontic wire included
- Incineration or approved treatment at a permitted facility
- Advice on container placement and fill lines to reduce needlestick risk
Who it is for
- General dental practices using local anaesthetic at most appointments
- Orthodontic practices disposing of wire, bands and brackets
- Hygienist and therapist clinics with smaller sharps volumes
- Implant and oral surgery clinics with blades and sutures
- Practices reviewing sharps safety after a needlestick incident
How much does it cost?
As a guide, UK sharps container collections usually cost £8 to £25 per container depending on size and volume, and are often bundled into a monthly managed service with other clinical waste streams. See our full cost guide.
