Thitithorn Rojpaibool, Chayanuch Angkaew
Journal of Dental Sciences and Education - 2025;3(4):123-128
Aims: This study aimed to determine patient attitudes toward rubber dam use in operative dentistry and identify associated factors among patients treated by undergraduate dental students at Western University, providing evidence-based insights to enhance clinical training strategies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to December 2024 at the Operative Dentistry Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Western University. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire, which included demographic information and experiences with operative dental treatment. Patient attitudes were assessed using an 11-question, five-point Likert scale. Total attitude scores were categorized into negative (1-33), neutral (34-43), and positive (44-55) based on modified Bloom's cut-off criteria. Results: A total of 98 completed questionnaires consisted of 44.90% males and 55.10% females. The mean attitude score was 40.23+/-6.53. While most patients (79.6%) expressed a preference for future rubber dam use and recognized its benefits (95.92% for foreign body aspiration prevention; 91.84% for moisture control), their attitudes were primarily neutral (72.4%). Ordinal regression analysis showed that only the duration of the presence of the rubber dam significantly influenced patient attitude (p=0.016), with a 1-min increase associated with a 2.2% decrease in the odds of a more positive attitude (odds ratio=0.978, 95% confidence interval: 0.961-0.996). No significant association was found between gender, age, local anesthesia, prior experience, and explanation of benefits. Conclusion: Based on the limitations of this study, the findings indicate the need for dental student training focusing on improving time management and patient comfort during rubber dam application to enhance patient satisfaction and acceptance.
