Attitudes of Young Dentists Toward Rubber Dam Use in Clinical Practice

Objective: To assess the attitudes, practices, and barriers regarding rubber dam usage among young dentists in Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 78 dentists who graduated within the last five years. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on demographic details, knowledge, attitudes, and barriers toward rubber dam use. The questionnaire included 16 open- and closed-ended questions, covering frequency of use, reasons for non-use, preferred materials, patient compliance, and clinical outcomes. Ethical approval was obtained, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed to evaluate associations. Logistic regression identified predictors of rubber dam use. Results: Among participants, 59.5% used rubber dams, with only 15.4% reporting frequent use. The primary barrier was unavailability of kits (48%, P < 0.05). Better isolation was the primary benefit (93.3%, P < 0.01), while patient compliance was high in 59% of cases (P < 0.05). Latex sheets were preferred by 82.2%, with latex allergy reported as infrequent (89.7%, P < 0.01). Logistic regression indicated positive patient response as a significant predictor (odds ratio = 13.32, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Despite its benefits, rubber dam usage among young dentists is limited. Addressing barriers like kit availability and enhancing training can improve adoption and patient outcomes.