Attitude of Dental Students Toward Rubber Dam Application: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction The rubber dam (RD) system is globally recognized as an indispensable component of dental treatments, ensuring the highest standards of care. The use of RD isolation profoundly impacts the clinical aspects of dental procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of dental students toward the use of RD, with an emphasis on evaluating the factors influencing its use among students at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods An online questionnaire was distributed to a population sample of 203 undergraduate dental students in their clinical years at Umm Al-Qura University. Questions covered various aspects, including the frequency of RD use, perceptions of its effectiveness, and prospective intentions for its future use, as well as factors influencing these attitudes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software Version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). In addition, the chi-square test and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test were used for the comparison of the data at a significance level of p<0.05. Results The questionnaire was completed by 191 participants, with a response rate of 95.5%. Of the students, 189 (99%) used RD during operative procedures for adhesive restorations. Furthermore, 157 (82.2%) students agreed that proper isolation cannot be achieved without RD application. All the advantages of RD application were recognized by 165 (85.9%) of the students. Notably, there was a significant association between the factors limiting the RD application and the students' academic year (p<0.05), with senior students reporting fewer limitations. Responses indicated that 163 (85.3%) of the students received satisfactory training for RD and 165 (86.4%) students had a high intention to continue using RD following graduation. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the results presented a positive attitude toward RD use. However, there is a continued necessity to enhance education and advocate consistent RD application for improved patient care and clinical outcomes.