Modification of a vinyl glove into a dental dam for patients sensitive to latex rubber.

Dental products containing latex rubber such as rubber dams, gloves, polishing points, prophy cups, blood pressure cuffs, orthodontic elastics, mouth props, intubation tubes, and anesthetic masks have the potential to cause allergic reactions. The clinician should try to identify patients at high risk for latex sensitivity by taking a careful history and, where necessary, using alternative products. This paper describes how a vinyl glove can be easily modified to provide an effective dental dam in patients allergic to latex rubber.