Which of the following is a suitable way to reduce mercury risks in a dental office?

Which of the following is a suitable way to reduce mercury risks in a dental office?

• A. Conducting routine inspections
• B. Using older amalgam products
• C. Encouraging frequent breakage of amalgam
• D. Not cleaning the work area

Answer: (A)

Conducting routine inspections is a suitable way to reduce mercury risks in a dental office because it helps identify potential hazards and ensures that proper safety protocols are being followed. Regular inspections can detect issues such as leaks, spills, or improper storage of dental amalgam, which contains mercury. By identifying these risks early, appropriate measures can be taken to mitigate exposure to mercury, providing a safer environment for both dental staff and patients. In contrast, using older amalgam products may not address the potential risks associated with mercury, as newer materials might offer safer alternatives. Encouraging frequent breakage of amalgam would significantly increase the risk of mercury exposure, while not cleaning the work area can lead to contamination and greater hazards for everyone in the office.

Conducting routine inspections is a suitable way to reduce mercury risks in a dental office because it helps identify potential hazards and ensures that proper safety protocols are being followed. Regular inspections can detect issues such as leaks, spills, or improper storage of dental amalgam, which contains mercury. By identifying these risks early, appropriate measures can be taken to mitigate exposure to mercury, providing a safer environment for both dental staff and patients.

In contrast, using older amalgam products may not address the potential risks associated with mercury, as newer materials might offer safer alternatives. Encouraging frequent breakage of amalgam would significantly increase the risk of mercury exposure, while not cleaning the work area can lead to contamination and greater hazards for everyone in the office.