Rubber dam use less stressful for children and dentists

Randomised controlled trial, single centre and operator.

72 patients (6-16 years) assessed as compliant, with no allergies, not on significant medication were divided into two groups by 'drawing sealed lots'. 234 fully erupted teeth were sealed. Molars and/or premolars were sealed dependant on age. Teeth were pre-cleaned with prophy paste. In the controls, teeth were isolated with buccal and lingual cotton rolls and salivary ejector in the intervention group a rubber dam was used. The same etching, rinsing and placement protocol was used in both arms.

Outcomes were: patients' subjective measures of pain using a visual analogue scale; blood pressure (before and after treatment), breath rate, pulse rate and skin resistance at five time points. The operator's pulse rate was measured and they completed a questionnaire on subjective mental and physical stress following treatment. Treatment times were recorded.

The breath rate was significantly (P < 0.05) lower and the skin resistance level was significantly higher during treatment with rubber dam compared to the control group. Subjective pain perception was significantly lower for the test group. The treatment time needed for the fissure sealing procedure was 12.4% less in the test group.

The authors state; '... in the hands of an experienced dentist, isolation with rubber dam is less stressful for children and adolescents than isolation with cotton rolls, and can save valuable treatment time.' The operator's stress measures were lower with rubber dam and treatment time was reduced.