Factores asociados al uso clínico del aislamiento absoluto en procedimientos restauradores adhesivos en estudiantes de Odontología de la UCSG.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the factors associated with the clinical use of absolute isolation among dentistry students at the Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil. Materials and methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, observational, and analytical study was conducted involving 140 students in their seventh through tenth semesters during the A-2026 term. The E-RDIS questionnaire was administered to assess perceived competence, attributed importance, resource availability, the influence of grading, satisfaction with training, and the frequency of absolute isolation use. Relationships between variables were analyzed using Spearman's Rho coefficient, with a p-value < 0.05 considered significant. Results: 49.3% of students felt moderately confident in placing absolute isolation, and 42.1% were moderately satisfied with the training received. 58.6% rated the technique as very or extremely important, and 63.5% reported having the necessary resources available most of the time or always. All evaluated factors showed positive, significant correlations with the use of absolute isolation in both anterior and posterior regions (p < 0.001). Resource availability showed the strongest association, particularly in the posterior region (Rho = 0.548). Conclusion: The clinical use of absolute isolation was associated with perceived competence and importance, resource availability, the influence of grading, and satisfaction with the training received.