Knowledge, Attitude, and Clinical Adoption of Rubber Dam Usage among Dental Undergraduate Students and Interns: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the Knowledge, Attitude and Prevalence regarding Rubber Dam usage among Dental Undergraduate final year students and interns. Methodology: An e-questionnaire as Google forms was sent to final year students and interns. Eighteen questions were asked regarding the knowledge, attitude and awareness about the rubber dam and its usage, which also includes the demographic details of the respondents. Results: A total of 213 dental students, including final-year students and interns, took part in the study. Most of them showed good understanding of rubber dam usage and agreed that it is the gold standard in endodontic procedures.The study design is cross-sectional and the sampling technique used is random sampling and statistical method is Chi-square test. Even though almost all participants had received pre-clinical training, only a few reported using rubber dams regularly in clinical practice. Patient discomfort and lack of awareness were the main reasons for not using them consistently. Overall, the results highlight a clear gap between what students know and what they actually practice in clinics. Conclusion: In conclusion, dental students exhibit good knowledge and a positive attitude toward rubber dam use in endodontics. However, despite adequate training, its regular clinical application remains limited. Strengthening clinical reinforcement and addressing perceived barriers may help improve consistent usage in practice.