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Rubber dam application in endodontic practice: an update on critical educational and ethical dilemmas
Author(s) -
Ahmed HMA,
Cohen S,
Lévy G,
Steier L,
Bukiet F
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/adj.12210
Subject(s) - endodontics , graduation (instrument) , clinical practice , medicine , dental care , medical education , dental practice , scientific evidence , isolation (microbiology) , dentistry , family medicine , engineering , mechanical engineering , philosophy , epistemology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Abstract Proper isolation is an essential prerequisite for successful endodontic treatment. This article aims to provide an update on the prevalence of rubber dam ( RD ) use, and the role of education along with attitudes of general dental practitioners ( GDP s) and patients towards the application of RD in endodontics. Critical ethical issues are also highlighted. Using certain keywords, an electronic search was conducted spanning the period from January 1983 to April 2013 to identify the available related investigations, and the pooled data were then analysed. The results show that although RD is the Standard of Care in endodontic practice, there is a clear discrepancy in what GDP s are taught in dental school and what they practice after graduation. There is little scientific evidence to support the application of RD ; however, patient safety and clinical practice guidelines indicate that it is unnecessary and unethical to consider a cohort study to prove what is already universally agreed upon. A few clinical situations may require special management which should be highlighted in the current guidelines. This would pave the way for clear and straightforward universal guidelines.