Rubber dam use: a survey of pediatric dentistry training programs and private practitioners

The benefits of the rubber dam (RD) are well known, but little data on utilization is available. This study's purpose was to evaluate the use of the rubber dam comparing survey responses of postgraduate pediatric dental residency program directors to privately practicing pediatric dentists.

This prospective, Institutional Review Board-approved, survey-based study was sent to 75 current directors of pediatric dentistry postgraduate programs and a random sample of 200 practicing pediatric dentists identified through a computer-generated process. A 22-item survey was developed, pilot tested, and attached to an e-mail sent to the study sample. Surveys were posted and managed at: "www.surveymonkey.com".

One hundred fifteen respondents completed the survey. Fifty-six (75%) were program directors, and 59 (30%) were private practitioners. Most respondents felt that the use of RD is considered a standard of care and was emphasized during training. More than 80% stated that they use the RD either always or frequently during daily practice. The most common factors for and against the use of RD were maintaining a dry field and patient anxieties and potential for painful stimulus, respectively.

This study's results suggest that the use of rubber dams: (1) is considered a standard of care in pediatric dentistry; and (2) may be modified, depending on procedural and/or patient factors.