Does placement of rubber dam effect the arterial oxygen saturation in children? A clinical study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect rubber dam placement on the arterial oxygen saturation level in children. Thirty children were randomly allocated to one of two groups: Group A--15 patients in this group had rubber dam isolation of the maxilla, and Group B--15 patients had rubber dam isolation of the mandible. The children were healthy and cooperative. The arterial oxygen saturation was taken before each injection, before starting the intervention, i.e. 5 min after the injection, and at 5-min intervals. All SpO2 values were recorded every 30 seconds over a 30 minute period. There were no statistically significant differences in arterial oxygen saturation in all reading sessions for both groups (P > 0.05). The use of rubber dam did not decrease the arterial oxygen saturation level in children.