Prevalencia del uso del dique de goma en atención odontológica al paciente pediátrico en Ecuador.

Abstract

Introduction: the rubber dam provides a dry operating area, increases visibility, decreases patient conversation, improves the efficacy and speed of treatment, protects against the ingestion and inhalation of toxic aerosols or small instruments, reduces the entry of the irrigation solution in the oral cavity during dental treatments and can be used in adult and pediatric patients. Objective: to determine the prevalence of care of the use of the rubber dam in dentistry to the pediatric patient in Ecuador. Materials and methods: quantitative, prospective cross-sectional study with a descriptive design carried out through a closed online survey of professionals who care for pediatric patients in Ecuador with a sample of 52 professionals who answered the surveys. Results: the prevalence of the use of the rubber dam was 84.34%, among the professionals who work with children, 98% use it when performing pulp treatments in children, the teeth where it is most used are the temporary molars and 60% reports that this treatment causes stress in children and 75% of the participants say that it does not cause stress in the operator and does not consider it a traumatic treatment. Conclusion: the use of the rubber dam improves visibility when working, reduces working time, provides more safety to the pediatric patient, and prevents accidents due to the ingestion of materials or instruments when working with pediatric and adult patients. The participants consider that the teaching of its use should be reinforced from the undergraduate level.