RUBBER DAM PLACEMENT: WHY MAJORITY OF SENIOR DENTISTSPRACTICING IN HA’IL, SAUDI ARABIA IGNORES IT?

Abstract

Isolation of operating site from saliva and other oral fluids prior to commencing a restorative or endodontic
procedure via rubber dam is considered as standard healthcare protocol. Numerous studies have been
globally conducted including Saudi Arabia to assess use or non-use of this magnificent method of isolation
by dental clinicians. To the best of our knowledge, no such study is available about attitude of dentists
working in Ha’il i.e. Northern region of Saudi Arabia. This study has been planned to fill the gap by
assessing the dentists’ attitude towards the use of this imperial isolation technique. A meticulously prepared
and prepiloted questionnaire was used as survey tool. It was distributed among licensed public sector
dentists participating in various continuing dental education programs. The young dentists between 24–35
years of age were found using rubber dam in majority (74%) whereas the 75% senior dentists (age above
35 years) responded as not using rubber dam isolation. The most responded reasons for non-use of rubber
dam were difficulty in placement and time consumption