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An internet-mediated investigation into the reported clinical use of rubber dam isolation by GDPs in the UK - part 1: factors influencing rubber dam use

British Dental Journal (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Aims To investigate the reported use of rubber dam isolation by UK general dental practitioners (GDPs), utilising an internet-mediated (SurveyMonkey) questionnaire reporting the demographic profile of respondents and the attitudes and factors influencing rubber dam use.

Methods A piloted questionnaire was distributed to a random sample of GDPs in a private Facebook group, investigating respondent demographics, clinical applications, and attitudes towards and factors influencing rubber dam use. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics along with chi-squared and pairwise Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results The response rate was 61%, with 403 valid completed questionnaires. Of these, 218 (54%) were female and 185 (46%) were male, with an age range of 23-72 years. Most of them (248; 62%) worked in mixed practices. The majority agreed that rubber dam aids placement of posterior restorations (311; 78%), provides clearer access (308; 76%), enables a higher clinical standard (355; 89%) and increases restoration longevity (257; 65%). Most agreed that proper isolation for root canal/operative procedures cannot be achieved without rubber dam use (329; 82%). Respondents disagreed with the following statements: root canal therapy completed without rubber dam isolation is as successful as those completed using rubber dam (338; 85%), rubber dam is difficult to apply (292; 73%) and rubber dam is disliked by patients (257; 64%). Respondents agreed that rubber dam use is influenced by clinical setting (259; 64%), procedure (390; 97%), choice of material being placed (382; 95%) and ease of application (337; 84%). Furthermore, 218 (54%) of the respondents expressed an interest in further training in rubber dam use.

Conclusions This study provides greater insight into the attitudes and factors influencing rubber dam use, while demonstrating an interest in further training.

Key points

  • The results of this study, which investigated GDPs' reported use of rubber dam, are presented in two parts. The first part reports the demographic profile, attitudes and factors which influenced respondents' use of rubber dam.

  • This was an internet-mediated study using an online survey targeting GDPs in a private social media group on Facebook.

  • The results highlight the potential use of internet-mediated protocols in primary dental care.

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Acknowledgements

This study was self-funded and was performed in partial fulfilment of the first author's MSc in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare Articulated Pathway (Advanced Dental Clinical Practice) awarded by the University of Kent. Thanks is given to Dr Tayfun Çağa for proofreading the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. General Dental Practitioner and MSc Student, Birmingham, UK

    Daniel Çağa

  2. Director of Graduate Studies, Lecturer in Professional Practice, Centre for Professional Practice, Medway Campus, University of Kent, Medway Maritime, Kent, ME4 4AG, UK

    Anne-Maria Brennan

  3. Honorary Professor, Centre for Professional Practice, Medway Campus, University of Kent, Medway Maritime, Kent, ME4 4AG, UK

    Kenneth Eaton

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  1. Daniel Çağa
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  2. Anne-Maria Brennan
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  3. Kenneth Eaton
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Contributions

Daniel Çağa designed the study, collected and analysed the resulting data, and wrote the first draft of this paper. Anne-Maria Brennan advised on the design of the study in general and the statistical tests in particular, and helped revise and edit drafts of the paper. Kenneth Eaton supervised the study, which included advising on its design and editing of all drafts.

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Correspondence to Daniel Çağa.

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The authors are not aware of any conflicts of interest.

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Çağa, D., Brennan, AM. & Eaton, K. An internet-mediated investigation into the reported clinical use of rubber dam isolation by GDPs in the UK - part 1: factors influencing rubber dam use. Br Dent J (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3083-z

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