HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

What is the purpose of attaching floss to a rubber dam clamp?

1. Retention

2. Ligature

3. Stability

4. Identification

The correct answer is: Ligature

Attaching floss to a rubber dam clamp serves as a ligature, which is a crucial practice in dental procedures. The primary purpose of the floss is to provide a way to retrieve the clamp if it becomes dislodged during treatment. By securing the clamp with floss, the dental assistant ensures that it can be easily reached and managed, reducing the risk of losing it in the patient's mouth. Using floss in this way enhances the safety of the procedure, as it helps to prevent potential complications and allows for a prompt response if the clamp needs to be removed or repositioned. This practice underscores the importance of preparedness and patient safety in chairside assisting. While retention, stability, and identification might play roles in clamp placement and functionality, the primary reason for using floss in this context is its role as a ligature, making it easier to handle the clamp during dental treatments.