Dental Dam and Ergonomics

Question 1

Why place a dental dam? 2 main reasons

Answer 1

• isolate the operating field

- barrier for prevention of microbial transmission from patients to the HCW

Question 2

Advantages of DD

Answer 2

• improved visibility due to increased color contrast
• mproved access
• improved properties of dental materials due to prevention from moisture contamination
• Protection of patient and operator (eg. swallowing or aspiration of instruments/materials)
• increased operator speed

Question 3

What should you do to the DD if patient complains of feeling claustrophobic?

Answer 3

cut a hole to break the seal a little

Question 4

Clinical scenerios which prevent the use of DD

Answer 4

1. teeth that are not fully erupted
2. extremely malpositioned/malaligned teeth
3. 3rd molars
4. patient who cannot breathe through their nose
5. psychological reactions
6. severe gag reflex

Question 5

parts of a dental dam clamp

Answer 5

bow, forcep hole, jaw, prong, wing

Question 6

What are the 2 most commonly used dental dam clamps in the school?

Answer 6

12A and 13A

Question 7

indications for use of clamps 12A, 13A, 8A, 27, 2A, 212A, 14A, and 1A

Answer 7

12A - quad 2 and 4 (molars)
13A - Quad 1 and 3 (molars)
8A - all quads (molars)
27 - all quads (molars)
2A - all quads (premolars)
212A - all quads (premolars, canine, incisors)
14A - all quads (partially erupter molar)
1A - all quads (premolars - gingivally angled)

Question 8

2A vs 212A

Answer 8

2A is a typical premolar clam. 212 A is good for anterior restos as it aids in pulling down the gingiva to access the CEJ

Question 9

a clamp properly placed should…

Answer 9

contact the tooth at each prong below the C of C without impinging the gingiva

Question 10

how do you test the stability of the clamp?

Answer 10

test with finger

Question 11

which prong should go on the buccal/lingual side of the tooth?

Answer 11

longer = buccal

Question 12

what hand instrument do you use to invert the DD?

Answer 12

cord packer and air stream from the air/water syringe

Question 13

What can you do to prevent the dd from lifting?

Answer 13

secure the distal end of the last tooth with an anchor (eg. floss or piece of rubber dam)

Question 14

Signs of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)

Answer 14

• Soreness
• Decreased ROM
• fatigue
• poor sensation

Question 15

Which patient position is the best to maintain a neutral position?

Answer 15

Supine

Question 16

3 main positions for right handed practitioners

Answer 16

right rear (11)
right (9)
Right front (7)

Question 17

Positioning of patient when working on Mx and Md arch?

Answer 17

Md: arch should be parallel to floor
Mx: arch should be perpendicular to floor

Question 18

Neutral working position

Answer 18

• forearms, thighs and feet parallel to floor
• shoulders relaxed
• elbows close to the body
• lower legs, upper arms, and torso perpendicular to the floor
• knees slightly apart

Question 19

in which case should patient not be in supine position?

Answer 19

-patient experiences vertigo, chronic back pain, sinusitis, third trimester pregnant, asthmatic, not comfortable laying back, psychological, etc.