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.

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.