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Cuspidor
Also called: spittoon, rinse bowl
The small bowl on some units where patients spit.
Some dental units have a cuspidor, a small bowl with running water where patients can rinse and spit. Its drain can carry amalgam particles, so on many units it runs through traps and the amalgam separator.
How to spot it
- A white bowl on the side of the unit with a small water spout above it.
What it is used for
- Clean and disinfect it as part of turnover per the unit maker's instructions.
Safety and care
- Do not rinse amalgam-containing items in it, and never use bleach-type cleaners in its drain if it runs to an amalgam separator.
Related
Sources: eCFR. 40 CFR 441.30 Pretreatment standards for existing sources (dental offices), ADA. Amalgam Separators and Waste Best Management Practices