Assessment of Prevalence of Using Rubber Dam for Endodontic Procedures by Local Dental Practitioners

Abstract

Background: A common method of isolation and moisture control in restorative dentistry is the use of cotton rolls combined with aspiration by saliva ejector. An alternative method of isolation of the tooth undergoing restorative treatment is a rubber dam, an isolation method, introduced to the dental profession by Dr Sanford C Barnum on 15 March 1864. There are many advantages of using rubber dam (RD) in root canal treatment, such as improving infection control quality, safety, and therapeutic effects.

Aim of the study: To assess prevalence of using rubber dam for endodontic procedures by local dental practitioners.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics of the Dental institute. For the study, 80 private dental clinics in the district were selected. An informed consent was obtained from all the participants after informing them about the procedure and importance of the study. The questionnaires were collected a week after reaching the participant. Data obtained from the questionnaire were collected and stored.

Results: The age group of the participants belonged to 25 to 70 years of which most of the participants belonged to age group 30-49 years. There were 29 dentists with age <30 years, 30 with age between 30-60 years and 21 dentists with age > 60 years. 51 participating dentists were males and 29 dentists were females. 1 male dentist and 3 female dentists always used rubber dam; whereas 9 male dentists and 7 female dentists never used rubber dam.

Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that majority of private practising dentists never use rubber dam in actual practice. So, there is a high need for improving the awareness among private dentist practitioners to use rubber dam to improve quality of treatment provided.