This document discusses the dental dam, which is used to isolate teeth during dental procedures. It describes the dental dam as a method of isolating one or more teeth by placing a sheet of latex or other material after applying local anesthesia. The advantages of using dental dams include improved visibility, accessibility, control of moisture, and protection of the patient. The document also outlines dental dam materials, preparation for placement, important issues, and references.

1. ORMP 1000 - Dental dam
Ms Ralephenya
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2. Class exercise
2. What is a dental dam?
4. Identify the following materials.
6. Practice to place the material.
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3. Dental dam (Phinney and Halstead,
2003)
 Method of isolating teeth before the
placement of restorations.
 Placed after applying local anesthetic.
 Placed to isolate one tooth or one or
more quadrants.
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4. Dental dam placed on tooth
(Google)
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5. Advantages of dental dam use
(Phinney and Halstead, 2003)
 Greater visibility because of the contrast between
tooth & dental dam material
 Greater accessibility to operating field by retracting
the gingiva, tongue, cheeks & lips
 Control of moisture to keep area dry to assist in
etching, bonding & restoring
 Protection for pt from swallowing or aspirating debris
during the procedure
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6. Advantages of dental dam use (cont.)
(Phinney & Halstead, 2003)
 Protection of gingiva from acid etch
 Improved patient management & decreased
operating time
 Protective barrier for patient
 Decreased amount of contaminated aerosol
exposure
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7. Contraindications to dental dam
(Phinney and Halstead, 2003)
 Physical conditions
 Concerned pts
 Conditions in oral cavity
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8. Dental dam materials (Phinney and
Halstead, 2003)
 Dental dam punch  Dental dam clamp
 Forceps  Dental dam
 Frame  Floss
 Dental dam napkin  Lubricant
 Tucking  Stabilizing cord
instruments  Inverting or
 Scissors tucking instrument
 Widgets ligature
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9. Preparation for placing dental
dam (Phinney & Halstead, 2003)
 Educating patient
 Determining area to be isolated
 Dividing the dental dam
 Punching the dental dam
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10. Important issues to note (Phinney
and Halstead, 2003)
 Common errors when punching the
dam
 Placement & removal procedures for
the dental dam
 Placing the dental dam for the
pediatric pt
 Alternatives to full dental dam
placement
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11. References
• Phinney, D.J. and Halstead, J.H.
(2003) Delmar’s dental assisting: a
comprehensive approach. New York:
Delmar Thomson Learning
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