Factors associated with patients' satisfaction of rubber dam use during root canal treatment

The use of rubber dam (RD) has been recommended in dental procedures including root canal treatment. The aim of the study was to identify factors that were associated with patients' satisfaction and acceptance of RD.

This was a cross-sectional study, conducted from January 2015 to December 2016 at Kuwait University School of Dentistry.

A pretested questionnaire was used by a face-to-face interview of patients after taking informed consent. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Review Board. The providers/operators who applied RD were grouped into three categories: undergraduate final year (7^th year) dental students; general dentists and postgraduate students; and specialists.

Mean age of the patients (n = 175) was 31.6 ± 13.0 years. About 55% had past experience, and 52% expressed a better experience during the current procedure compared with the previous one. A positive experience during the current procedure correlated significantly with the future intention of RD use (r = 0.244, P = 0.001). Time needed for RD application was short (4 min), irrespective of the operators. The duration of RD use during the procedure was significantly shorter among dental specialists compared with the other groups. Time for RD application was the only significant predictor for patient satisfaction, after controlling for other independent variables.

Based on the positive influence of current RD use on the future intention, dentists should spend time needed to explain the importance, safety and effectiveness of RD use with their patients.