A survey on Rubber Dam Usage among Students during Dental Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: The use of rubber dam is an excellent means of providing infection control during dental treatment by reducing bacterial contamination of prepared cavities, root canal system and reducing the transmission of infections between dentist and patient. Rubber dam is recommended for various restorative and endodontic procedures. This study was conducted to evaluate the attitude toward the use of rubber dam in clinical practice by students of a private dental school. The rubber dam is considered to be the greatest benefit to patients’ safety. Materials and Methods: A prepiloted questionnaire was prepared and distributed to 120 junior students in private dental college. The questionnaire included various aspects on rubber dam use in dental procedures such as indications, advantages difficulty in application. Statistical analysis done by using Chi-square test and used for comparison of qualitative data (P < 0.05) was estimated. Results: 79.3% males accepted that rubber dam is adequate usage in dental school training and 20.7% opinionated that training is inadequate. 81.7% females accepted that it is adequate and 18.3% accepted that it is not. Conclusion: The response to the questionnaire was mixed among the participants which was statistically significant. It is very much necessary to increase the awareness among practitioners to the benefits of a rubber dam usage by means of continuing education. Rubber dam will make dentistry much faster, easier, and safer for both practitioners and patients.