# Dental Solid Waste Analysis: A Scoping Review and Research Model Proposal
## 3 Results
### Data Items and Synthesis of the Results  
Data were collected for each trial as follows: (1) main author, year of publication, and study location, (2) period of study, (3) objective/aim, (4) details of methodology, (5) details of primary and secondary outcome, (6) funding sources, (7) critical appraisal of individual sources of evidence, and (8) included cross-sectional studies using Critical Appraisal Tool (CAT) were assessed for the current scoping review [16; 17]. Several studies have investigated the composition, production rates, and management practices of dental solid waste (DSW) in different regions, namely in Greece and Iran. More specifically, [PERSON] et al. (2009), [18] in Greece, analyzed solid waste from dental laboratories in Xanthi, finding a daily production rate of 0.059 g per capita, primarily household-type and infectious waste. Also, [PERSON] et al. (2012) [19] examined healthcare waste in Bandar Abbas, Iran, identifying shortcomings in waste management practices, particularly in handling sharps and infectious waste. [PERSON] et al. (2012) [20] analyzed DSW in Hamadan, Iran, reporting substantial annual waste generation with recommendations for improved management. Further, [PERSON] et al. (2014) [21] evaluated DSW in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, also in Iran, emphasizing the need for source reduction and recycling programs. Additionally, [PERSON] et al. (2016) [22] assessed DSW in Qaem Shar, Iran, underlining the urgency of implementing waste reduction and recycling initiatives too. Finally, [PERSON] et al. (2018) [23] studied DSW in Xanthi, Greece, noting a predominance of hazardous waste and also emphasizing the need for improved waste management practices. As seen by their reports, all previous studies collectively highlight the importance of addressing DSW management to minimize environmental and public health risks. Data from the included cross-sectional studies are presented in a narrative format in Table 1.  
Figure 3: Trend chart showing the articles published in the database PubMed during the period 2000–2013 with the keyword “dental waste” in the title and/or abstract. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Main Author (Year)** & **Period of Study** & **Sector** & **Objective** & **Methodology** & **Results** & **Funding** \\
As described previously the analysis of qualitative data was conducted on only 6 cross-sectional studies out of 13 potentially eligible studies. Of the six included studies, four were conducted in Iran and two in Greece, while two of them were conducted in private sectors, one in public, and three studies used data from both (private and public) sectors. Funding for such research was applied in half of them. More specifically, Iran was the country with the largest number of included studies (\(n\) = 4, 66%), followed by Greece (\(n\) = 2, 33%). Most research groups included in their studies (\(n\) = 3, 50%) dental facilities in both the private and public sectors, whereas two studies (\(n\) = 2, 33%) collected data only from private dental facilities. Specifically, a study (\(n\) = 1, 16%) focused on dental practices in the public sector; in four studies (\(n\) = 4, 66%), data were collected from dental practices providing general dentistry; two studies (\(n\) = 2, 33%) collected data from dental laboratories; and one study (\(n\) = 1, 16%) collected data from dental practices providing specialty dentistry. The sample size of one study (\(n\) = 1, 16%) included general dentistry, dental laboratories, and specialty dentistry. Furthermore, in terms of study funding, one (\(n\) = 1, 16%) study reported no funding, while two (\(n\) = 2, 33%) studies did not provide information. It has been reported, finally, that three (\(n\) = 3, 50%) studies received funding, with all three cases involving university resources. The descriptive tables of the results of cross-sectional studies were created using StataCorp software, Stata: Release 13.1 (Table 2).