by Celine Higton, BDS

The application of the rubber dam is seen by many dentists as a stressful exercise that only serves to frustrate both the practitioner and the patient. Despite the majority being aware of the many benefits of working under dams, it is often something that is only ever used when it ‘has to be’. Why is this? The answer is simple: It is an exact science, a mathematical equation if you will. If we do not know the formula, then how can we complete the sum?

With its small, wet, hostile and unpredictable working environment, dentistry is inherently difficult; using rubber dams to neutralize changes everything. Learn how to create a setting for dentistry that is reproduceable, predictable, and patient-friendly. Working under rubber dam isolation will enable the clinician to focus on the actual dentistry while ignoring the distractions of the mouth, resulting in better quality work and a less invasive patient experience.

The aim of my new lecture on AACD CEntral is to piece together the puzzle that is rubber dam isolation. Watch my new course, Rubber Dam Isolation: The Fundamentals, to:

• Understand when and why rubber dam should be used
• Appreciate the many benefits of working under dam
• Learn how to manage patient acceptance of rubber dam
• Understand the importance of material & equipment choice
• Master the essential skills of making floss ligatures and inverting the dam
• Understand how to stabilise the dam
• Discover multiple methods to retract the dam and soft tissues
• Learn how to isolate for every day dentistry including quadrant isolation, anterior isolation and split dam

This lecture and hundreds more are available as part of your AACD membership, so check out AACD CEntral now.

Not a member yet? See what you're missing.