This article is derived from the research Environmental interventions of mercury usage in dental offices, sponsored by the Research Development Committee of the University of Antioquia (CODI) and carried out by the Biomedical Science and Technology Group (CTB) and the Pyrometallurgical and Materials Investigation Group (GIPIMME) of the same university, that was developed in 2002-2003. Objective: to characterize the occupational variables of small dental offices in MedellÌn, Itag ̧Ì, Envigado, Sabaneta and Bello, as well as the management of mercury and the disposal of wastes accomplished there, on the basis of the results obtained in a random sample of 139 dental offices. Methods: an inquiry and observation form were designed and applied on a person-to-person basis by the research team previously trained, as well as an instrument aimed to observe locative aspects and mercury and amalgams management peculiarities. Knowledge was thus obtained of the mercury handling and storage procedures. Results: they should motivate a reflection accomplished by the personnel involved in dentistry, referred to their professional practice, in order to get a more qualified service with minimum environmental impact. ; Este artículo se deriva de la investigación Gestión ambiental del mercurio en los consultorios odontológicos, proyecto patrocinado por el Comité para el Desarrollo de la Investigación (CODI), de la Universidad de Antioquia, realizado por el Grupo de Ciencia y Tecnología Biomédica (CTB) y el Grupo de Investigaciones Pirometalúrgicas y de Materiales (GIPIMME) de la misma Universidad, estudio desarrollado en los años 2002 y 2003. Objetivo: caracterizar las variables ocupacionales, del manejo del mercurio y de los residuos de la amalgama en los consultorios odontológicos pequeños y medianos en Medellín, Itagüí, Envigado, Sabaneta y Bello, a partir de los resultados obtenidos en una muestra aleatoria de 139 consultorios. Métodología: se diseñó y aplicó una encuesta diligenciada persona a persona y se diseñó y aplicó un ...