Dental+Dams

**Dental Dams ** **What are Dental Dams? ** Originally created as a medical device to assist dentists in maintaining a sterile work environment when drilling and filing teeth cavities, when using a dental dam, dentist used “ A sheet of latex rubber punctuated with holes that is stretched around the teeth during dental procedures to isolate the operative field from the oropharynx, and respiratory tract, and prevent pulmonary aspiration of fragments of teeth and amalgam” (Segens Medical Dictionary, 2011). Dental dams are now also used as a barrier method created to prevent the exchange of bodily fluids that in turn can spread sexually transmitted diseases and/or infections. “ Sexology Dental dams may be used for safe sexual practices, placed over the vulva or anus during cunnilingus and analingus to protect against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases” (Segens Medical Dictionary, 2011) Also referred to as rubber dams, dental dams are a contraception currently being used as protection during oral-anal sex and/or oral-vaginal sex, as a means to protect the mouth and tongue from other bodily fluids. Dental dams are designed in a variety of ways similar to other condoms, however the most predominantly used would be latex form. This contraception, similar to condoms, should only be used once, but only in one area of the body, and be discarded after usage. Reuse of dental dams, rips, tears and any other malfunctions or improper usage of this item can cause transmission of sexual diseases and/or infections. Dental dams are a small, thin piece of latex placed between the mouth and vagina, or between the mouth and the anus, and can also be used with lubricants if necessary. Some people use some type of plastic as a substitute however the most sanitary would be to buy the dental dams. “People are cautioned to also use barriers during sexual encounters where breast milk is present; nursing mothers often have abrasions on their nipples that can allow blood and fluid to be passed to their partners” (Burnette 1998) Most people are unaware of these risk because they can be thought of as uncommon however they are only uncommon because they are not discussed as often as gay sexual relations is discussed in the media. Women whom are breast feeding must be very aware of the risk they take and thereby not be close minded to the idea of using dental dams because what seems like a mild mistake today can result in a long-term **Targeted group ** Dental Dams are mostly geared towards lesbian women as a means for them to practice safer-safe. Like most people when violating the social norm of heterosexuality, lesbians are beginning to be focused on as a high-risk group for sexually transmitted diseases or infections. This shift from male gay men to lesbians is not due to lesbians being at a higher risk of contracting HIV or other sexual infections, but because women have a tendency to not be //completely// honest about their sexual history. (Katz,N/A) Most heterosexual women when communicating about their sexuality are very private, or tend to “under-indulge” their amount of sexual partners, therefore in a homosexual relationship, women may be more inclined to not state the whole truth. In addition, some women who have not always been sexually attracted to women and have spent time in relationships with men can unfortunately put them at risk of already having STD’s or STI’s when later engaging in sexual relations with women As a result most authors when discussing rubber dams are focusing on lesbian safe-sex practices. “ Oral sex, vaginal penetration with fingers, and mutual masturbation were the most commonly reported sexual practices between women and mutual masturbation were the most commonly reported sexual activities with men.” (Bailey, Farquhar, Owen, Whittaker 2003) Therefore lesbian relationships are viewed as most at-risk and dental dams can be most effective in their lifestyle. In a 1991 study, 8.3 % of men in gay couples used barriers such as rubber gloves and dental for hygiene and pure fun reason and not for disease prevention. (Hunt, Weatherburn, Hicksoon, Davies, McManus, Coxon, 1993) There has been an increase in condom usage in gay men and due to them being the target audience in society and now that lesbians are being targeted; hopefully they will increase their usage as well.
 * Camille Brittnum **

**Adolescent and Dental Dams ** The questions have arisen more recently regarding teenagers and sexual activity outside of sexual intercourse. In recent years teenage pregnancy has escalated, however studies on actual teenage behavior regarding mutual masturbation, oral sex and anal intercourse regarding teenagers has not been focused on for multiple reasons. (Remez, 2000). Parents are not open to discussing the sexual behaviors of their minors, and they are not allowing their minors to speak on their sexual behavior because of the idea that talking about sex will spark sexual behavior amongst teenagers. However, the idea that masturbation, oral sex and anal intercourse cannot result in pregnancy the fear of not knowing the behaviors of minors can cause long term damage. These sexual behaviors can result in sexually transmitted diseases or infections amongst minors and because “things are better left unsaid” parents are not allowing their minors to be engrossed in information needed. Sexual communication of sexual behavior is important because if no one admits that these behaviors are going on, no information will be advised. Dental dams are simply another means of protecting oneself similar to condoms. If teenagers are engaging in oral sex, their reasoning behind engaging in oral behavior as oppose to intercourse would be to avoid pregnancy. With the help of dental dams, teenagers would b protected when engaging in this type of behavior. Not allowing studies to be done and not being honest about sexual behavior does nothing but place people, especially teenagers in more danger of contracting something that has no cure. Using dental dams causes an admittance that the person is engaging in sexual behavior, however it also shows that the person cares about their sexual health. As a result the only other angle for promoting safe oral sex is through hoping that marketers reach people before disease and infection do. Some marketers are beginning to make difference colors and flavors of dental dams. Ideally this will help in attracting those whom need them most. 

References Burnette, V. Barriers for Safer Oral Sex. **//[|**Positively aware : the monthly journal of the Test Positive Aware Network**]//** //Volume 9, Issue 3, May 1998, Pages 45, 59//

 [|Hunt AJ], [|Weatherburn P] , [|Hickson FC] , [|Davies PM] , [|McManus TJ] , [|Coxon AP] .(1993) Changes in condom use by gay men. Department of Sociology. University of Esses, Colchester. Aids Care:5(4):439-48

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> [|J V Bailey], [|C Farquhar]. [|C Owen], D Whitaker. (2003) Sexual behaviour of lesbians and bisexual <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">women. //<span style="color: #333300; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Sex Transm Infect //<span style="color: #333300; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">;79:147-150 doi:10.1136/sti.79.2.147

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Katz, Dian (N/A) Do Lesbians get STD’s//? Self Help.// <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;">N/A (2002) Dental Dam. //McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine//. The <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Remez, Lisa (2000) Oral Sex Among Adolescents: Is It Sex or Is It Abstinence? Family Planning Perspectives