JDSE
Journal of Dental Sciences and Education

The Journal of Dental Sciences and Education deals with General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Orthodontics, Oral diagnosis and DentomaxilloFacial Radiology, Endodontics, Prosthetic Dentistry, Periodontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Implantology, Dental Education and other dentistry fields and accepts articles on these topics. Journal of Dental Science and Education publishes original research articles, review articles, case reports, editorial commentaries, letters to the editor, educational articles, and conference/meeting announcements.

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Original Article
Enhancing clinical training through understanding patient attitudes toward rubber dam application by undergraduate dental students: a study at a university in Thailand
Abstract
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.

Keywords : Dental students, operative dentistry, patient attitude, rubber dam isolation

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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 4, 2025
Page : 123-128
https://doi.org/10.51271/JDSE-0067
Article Information
Received : 07 Eki 2025
Accepted : 22 Eki 2025
Published : 26 Eki 2025
Corresponding Author :

Thitithorn Rojpaibool: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Western University, Pathumthani, Thailand

[email protected]
Citation : Rojpaibool T, Angkaew C. Enhancing clinical training through understanding patient attitudes toward rubber dam application by undergraduate dental students: a study at a university in Thailand. J Dent Sci Educ. 2025;3(4):123-128.

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