The use of rubber dams in dentistry has a number of proven benefits. They enhance visibility surrounding the treatment site and isolate the area from saliva and blood, protecting it from potential pathogenic contamination. With the oral cavity being an unstable environment by nature, a rubber dam can make a significant improvement to working conditions, ushering in a higher standard of care and more comfortable treatment for patient and professional alike.
In pandemic era dentistry, utilising rubber dams not only helps to elevate the standard of care professionals provide but also add another safety net in terms of infection control. Despite these perks, however, use of rubber dams among dental professionals isn’t common for routine cases. But why is this?
Céline Higton, internationally renowned educator and staunch advocate for rubber dam usage, is set to give a session at this year’s BACD Annual Conference on the subject. She hopes to inspire delegates to embrace dental dams and all the benefits these can bring. A mix of didactic and hands-on learning, this session will teach professionals how to quickly place an effective and reproduceable dam in most cases.
Céline says, “Rubber dams are considered tricky by professionals and I think a lot of that has to do with how dentistry is taught in university. They are often considered as an afterthought and covered only very briefly, which leaves professionals struggling as they don’t fully understand how to utilise them effectively. I always say that rubber dams are an exact science – like a mathematical equation if you will – so how can people complete the sum if they don’t know the formula?
“That’s why the core aim of my session at this year’s BACD Annual Conference is to help delegates to fall in love with rubber dams as I have. My session will hopefully encourage them to become more comfortable and proficient in placing them, so that they can see a rubber dam as a friend not a foe. I also want people to change their mindsets so they are not so quick to leave rubber dams by the wayside or discard them if they find them tricky, and instead embrace them as an adjunct to their clinical skills.
“By the end of my session I want everyone to have the belief and confidence in themselves to place rubber dams and understand why this treatment step is so important for the provision of high-quality care. Over the years it’s become clear to me that once people understand how to place rubber dams properly, they really see the benefits straightaway and adopt them into their workflows.”
As with any part of treatment, rubber dam usage is multi-faceted and can be utilised in a number of ways. Céline’s session will not only cover the benefits of rubber dams but also really go into the finer details, explaining ways to help with patient acceptance as well as looking at aspects like material and equipment choice. The session will also teach delegates how to master the essential skill of making floss ligatures and inverting the dam, as well as instructing on how to isolate for everyday dentistry, including quadrant isolation, anterior isolation and split dam methods.
For many professionals, retraction during the application of the rubber dam can also prove challenging. Céline will help those attending her session to overcome this hurdle as well, teaching various methods on how to retract the rubber dam and the soft tissues – perfect for dentists of all experience levels who want to hone their skills and gain confidence.
As ever, the BACD Annual Conference 2022 will provide a wealth of educational sessions alongside plenty of chances to network and connect with likeminded individuals who share your passions and interests.
About the event, Céline says: “I’m so excited for the Conference this year, especially as there is such a great selection of speakers attending. I am one million percent looking forward to hearing from Frank Spear – he is one of dentistry’s greats and I wouldn’t miss him for the world.
“I’m also really looking forward to having the chance to teach delegates and speak myself – it’s an absolute honour to have been invited, so I just want to extend a huge thank you to everyone at the BACD who believes in me as a speaker and an educator. I will ensure to make my session as engaging as possible and I can’t wait to see everyone there!”
So, what are you waiting for? If you are yet to secure your place at this year’s BACD Annual Conference, register online today to gain access to outstanding educational sessions, hands-on workshops, networking opportunities and more!
BACD 18th Annual Conference 2022 will be held on November 10-12, 2022 at ICC Wales, Newport. For more information visit www.bacd.com for details and to register.