title: Rubber dam use among a subpopulation of Nigerian dentists.
abstract: In this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, we surveyed the attitudes toward, knowledge of, and use of rubber dams (RDs) among dentists in southern Nigeria. The questionnaire, which was distributed and collected by one of the authors, requested information on the dentists' background characteristics, attitudes, and knowledge. Data were analyzed with SPSS, and the chi-square was used to assess differences in categorical variables. A total of 100 out of 108 dentists responded (92.6% response rate). The prevalence of RD use was 18%. Dentists in the government sector used RDs more often than did dentists in the private sector. About 77% of dentists had not used RDs or were unaware of how to use them. All specialists had seen RDs, but only 56% had used one in their practice. All dentists believed in the effectiveness of RDs. We conclude that rubber dams are underutilized in this population, and that dentists need to be made aware of the possibility of rubber dam use through an awareness campaign.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Christopher I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Udoye
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jafarzadeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004497:Education, Dental; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019981:Health Care Sector; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017149:Private Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011364:Professional Practice; D016733:Rubber Dams / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013039:Specialties, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013218:State Dentistry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires