A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY FOR RUBBER DAM USAGE DURING ENDODONTIC PROCEDURE

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and frequency of rubber dam usage by analyzing the awareness of patients, general practitioners, hygienists and undergraduate students toward using rubber dams during endodontic procedures.This survey was conducted at Kanagawa Dental University Hospital and included personnel involved in endodontic treatment using an operative dental microscope. A total of 301 people were surveyed: 50 patients, 90 general practitioners, 38 hygienists and 123 undergraduate students. The same questionnaire was used for all participants. Respondents were asked about the length of time a rubber dam could be applied, discomfort and desirability of usage. We also asked general practitioners about rubber dam usage and why some of them did not use one. We asked hygienists and undergraduate students about their experience using rubber dams and patients about their experience. Furthermore, we asked how the respondents learned about rubber dams.Approximately 82.2% of patients, 20.4% of dental practitioners (33.3% of general dental practitioners, 15.8% of dental hygienists, and 12.2% of undergraduate students) answered that rubber dam usage was desirable. Some patients (30.0%) knew about rubber dams. While 40 patients (80.0%) felt that the use of rubber dams was desirable, only 30 general dental practitioners (33.3%), 6 dental hygienists (15.8) and 15 undergraduate students (12.2%) thought that patients found them desirable. Our findings suggest a significant gap between the awareness of patients and dental caregivers on rubber dam usage.