The purpose of this survey was to determine the frequency of use of rubber dam isolation in the United Kingdom for both operative and endodontic procedures. Questionnaires were sent to 1800 dentists throughout the country, with 1008 returns (56%). Most replies were from dentists active in general dental practice. The use of rubber dam is largely neglected and more than 70% of all dentists surveyed did not utilise rubber dam for any procedure whatsoever.
Dentists the world over seem to still have issues in making rubber dam application a routine part of practice, even in situations where patients are obviously at risk. In this article, the author - who has delivered hundreds of seminars and hands on tuition in a quick and easy method of dam application (the 'Dam it - it's Easy!' series) to dentists in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia - highlights the similarity of the misconceptions existing in regard to its use by dentists the world over. The valuable advantages to the environment in the dental treatment room by dental dam application are considered underused. The protection offered by routine rubber dam application is second to none in situations that are potentially physically hazardous to patients.
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