A dental waste containment and removal system and method for containing and removing dental waste produced at a dental services facility involves transferring dental waste containing a contaminant such as mercury from a patient's mouth into a dental waste container under a vacuum pressure such that the dental waste is temporarily retained within the dental waste container. The dental waste may then be removed from the dental waste container from a remote location, such as from the exterior of the dental facility, by pumping or suctioning the dental waste, and transported to a treatment facility.