ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS' ATTITUDES REGARDING THE USE OF RUBBER DAMS IN ENDODONTIC THERAPY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33279/jkcd.v15i04.839Keywords:
Awareness, comfort, Endodontics, infection risk, isolation, Rubber DamsAbstract
Objectives: To determine patients' attitudes towards the use of rubber dams in endodontic therapy at Saidu College of Dentistry, Swat.
Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted at Saidu College of Dentistry, District Swat, on 150 participants using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Participants aged 12–50 years who were healthy and willing were included, while those refusing consent or with psychiatric disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, or infectious diseases were excluded. Data were collected using a validated, pre-tested questionnaire covering demographics, awareness, experience, comfort, and perceptions of rubber dam use. The Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was applied to compare awareness, perception, and efficacy of rubber dam across gender and education.
Results: Among 150 participants (54.7% female), most had higher education (59.3%). Overall, 33.7% were aware of rubber dam use, 11.3% had undergone a procedure, and 23.7% believed in its essential use. Regarding experience, 17.7% felt comfortable, 23.3% reported less discomfort, and 43.7% felt secure about cleanliness. For efficacy, 62.3% believed it increased effectiveness, 73.3% reduced infection risk, and 63.3% facilitated a quicker procedure. Females more often reported reduced infection risk (79.3% vs 66.2%; p = 0.04), and higher education was associated with greater awareness and positive perceptions (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The study shows a large gap in awareness and comfort with rubber dams, despite their known benefits in improving procedure efficiency and reducing infection risk. The findings shows the importance of the need for increased education and patient acceptance to enhance the clinical effectiveness of rubber dams.
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