Evaluating the Functionality and Accessibility of TL Sharps Bin among Experienced Dental Surgeons and Medical Practitioners: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shiow, Yee Yng; Liszen, Tang; Ahmad, Wan Muhamad Amir W; Adnan, Mohamad Nasarudin; Ghazali, Farah Muna Mohamad

doi:10.1590/pboci.2026.015

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE • Pesqui. Bras. Odontopediatria Clín. Integr. 26 • 2026 • https://doi.org/10.1590/pboci.2026.015 linkcopy

Evaluating the Functionality and Accessibility of TL Sharps Bin among Experienced Dental Surgeons and Medical Practitioners: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

Objective: To present the TL Sharps Bin, a newly developed device designed to enhance safety and functionality in healthcare settings, and to evaluate its performance and usability among healthcare professionals.

Material and Methods: A total of 82 participants, comprising 40 dental surgeons and 42 medical doctors, were selected using random sampling. Following a demonstration and hands-on session on the proper use of the TL Sharps Bin, participants completed a structured questionnaire consisting of 19 items. The questionnaire assessed the bin’s performance across two key domains: visibility and accommodation. To analyze the relationship between categorical variables, chi-square tests were applied, allowing for the assessment of associations between participant characteristics and their responses to the questionnaire.

Results: The TL Sharps Bin was rated highly in all three dimensions, with safety receiving a mean score of 4.6, usability 4.5, and efficiency 4.7 on a 5-point Likert scale. Participants highlighted the bin’s superior puncture resistance, ease of use, and accessibility in busy clinical settings. Statistical analysis confirmed that the TL Sharps Bin significantly outperformed traditional containers in terms of both user satisfaction and adherence to safety protocols (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The TL Sharps Bin demonstrated exceptional performance in clinical settings, meeting and exceeding the safety guidelines set by the World Health Organization and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Its adoption is strongly recommended to improve sharps disposal practices and enhance occupational safety for healthcare workers. Further studies could explore its long-term impact on reducing the incidence of sharps-related injuries and infections.

Keywords:
Medical Waste Disposal; Occupational Health; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation

Specialty	%
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)	27.0
Outpatient	20.0
Paediatric Dentistry (PAEDS)	17.0
Dental Public Health (DPH)	13.0
Conservative Dentistry (CONS)	10.0
Periodontology (PERIO)	10.0
Prosthodontics (PROSTHO)	3.0

Specialty	%
Emergency Department (ED)	81.0
Otolaryngology (ORL)	10.0
Cardiology (CARDIO)	3.0
Surgery	2.0
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS)	2.0
Physical Rehabilitation (REHAB)	2.0

N.	Question	N	Mean	SD
1.	The container is stable when placed on a horizontal surface and when used as described in the product labelling for use in trays, holders, or enclosures.	82	4.67	0.498
2.	The container provides for puncture, leak, and impact resistance.	82	4.50	0.527
3.	Containers, labels, warning devices, and brackets are durable.	82	4.57	0.609
4.	The container is autoclavable, if necessary.	82	3.96	1.149
5.	The container is available in various sizes and capacities.	82	4.66	0.613
6.	The container is available with auxiliary safety features (e.g., restricted access to sharps in the container) if required.	82	4.56	0.569
7.	The closure mechanism will not allow needlestick injury.	82	4.61	0.733
8.	The closure mechanism provides a secure seal.	82	4.73	0.498
9.	The design minimizes needle-tip flip-back.	82	4.74	0.605
10.	The design promotes clinical performance (e.g., will not compromise sterile field or increase injury or infection control hazards).	82	4.60	0.563
11.	The design resists easy reopening after sealing for final disposal or autoclaving.	82	4.62	0.660
12.	Inlet design defeats waste removal when open.	82	4.39	0.681
13.	The inlet design prevents spillage of contents (physical or liquid) while the sharps disposal container is in use in the intended upright position.	82	4.62	0.513
14.	Containers designed to be reopenable have removable lids designed with a tight closure that facilitates ease of removal with grip safety and comfort.	82	4.32	0.901
15.	Mounting brackets are rugged and designed for ease of service and decontamination.	82	4.60	0.518
	Grand Mean Value	4.54

N.	Questions	Strongly Disagree/Disagree/Neither Agree nor Disagree N (%)	Strongly Agree/Agree N (%)	p-value
16.	The container is stable when placed on a horizontal surface and when used as described in the product labelling for use in trays, holders, or enclosures.	1 (1.2)	81 (98.8)	0.001*
17.	The container provides for puncture, leak, and impact resistance.	1 (1.2)	81 (98.8)	0.001*
18.	Containers, labels, warning devices, and brackets are durable.	3 (3.7)	79 (96.3)	0.001*
19.	The container is autoclavable, if necessary.	25 (30.5)	57 (69.5)	0.001*
20.	The container is available in various sizes and capacities.	4 (4.9)	78 (95.1)	0.001*
21.	The container is available with auxiliary safety features (e.g., restricted access to sharps in the container) if required.	1 (1.2)	81 (98.8)	0.001*
22.	The closure mechanism will not allow needlestick injury.	5 (6.1)	77 (93.9)	0.001*
23.	The closure mechanism provides a secure seal.	2 (2.4)	80 (97.6)	0.001*
24.	The design minimizes needle-tip flip-back.	2 (2.4)	80 (97.6)	0.001*
25.	The design promotes clinical performance (e.g., will not compromise sterile field or increase injury or infection control hazards).	3 (3.7)	79 (96.3)	0.001*
26.	The design resists easy reopening after sealing for final disposal or autoclaving.	4 (4.9)	78 (95.1)	0.001*
27.	Inlet design defeats waste removal when open.	7 (8.5)	75 (91.5)	0.001*
28.	The inlet design prevents spillage of contents (physical or liquid) while the sharps disposal container is in use in the intended upright position.	1 (1.2)	81 (98.8)	0.001*
29.	Containers designed to be reopenable have removable lids designed with a tight closure that facilitates ease of removal with grip safety and comfort.	9 (11.0)	73 (89.0)	0.001*
30.	Mounting brackets are rugged and designed for ease of service and decontamination.	1 (1.2)	81 (98.8)	0.001*

N.	Questions	Mean	SD
31.	Containers available in various opening sizes and shapes	4.65	0.575
32.	Containers are supplied in sufficient quantity.	4.50	0.671
33.	The container has an entanglement-free opening/access way.	4.40	0.873
34.	Container opening/access way and current fill status are visible to the user before placing sharps into the container.	4.55	0.570
35.	Internal design/molding of the container does not impede ease of use.	4.63	0.533
36.	Handles, if present, are located above the full-fill level.	4.68	0.494
37.	Handles, if present, facilitate safe vertical transport and are located away from opening/accessways and potentially soiled surfaces.	4.72	0.479
38.	Fixed locations place containers within arm’s reach of the point of waste generation.	4.52	0.613
39.	Fixed locations allow for the installation of the container below the horizontal vision level.	4.59	0.587
40.	If necessary, in high-patient or high-visitor traffic areas, the container should provide for security against tampering.	4.57	0.648
	Grand Mean Value	4.58

N.	Questions	Strongly Disagree/Disagree/Neither Agree nor Disagree N (%)	Strongly Agree/Agree N (%)	p-value
41.	Containers are available in various opening sizes and shapes.	2 (2.4)	80 (97.6)	0.001*
42.	Containers are supplied in sufficient quantity.	6 (7.3)	76 (92.7)	0.001*
43.	The container has an entanglement-free opening/access way.	10 (12.2)	72 (87.8)	0.001*
44.	Container opening/access way and current fill status are visible to the user before placing sharps into the container.	3 (3.7)	79 (96.3)	0.001*
45.	Internal design/molding of the container does not impede ease of use.	2 (2.4)	80 (97.6)	0.001*
46.	Handles, if present, are located above the full-fill level.	1 (1.2)	81 (98.8)	0.001*
47.	Handles, if present, facilitate safe vertical transport and are located away from opening/accessways and potentially soiled surfaces.	1 (1.2)	81 (98.8)	0.001*
48.	Fixed locations place the container within arm’s reach of the point of waste generation.	5 (6.1)	77 (93.9)	0.001*
49.	Fixed locations allow for the installation of the container below the horizontal vision level.	4 (4.9)	78 (95.1)	0.001*
50.	If necessary, in high-patient or high-visitor traffic areas, the container should provide for security against tampering.	5 (6.1)	77 (93.9)	0.001*

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[TFN1] Grand Mean Value 1: Does Not Meet Expectations; Grand Mean Value 2: Meets Expectations; Grand Mean Value 3, 4, and 5: Exceeds Expectations.