Barnard College Student Health Services

How to use a Dental Dams
Psst... You can make your own dental dam by cutting a rolled condom to thecenter and then opening it up. Very clever!

A dental dam is a thin 6" x 6" square of latex which a dentist uses to isolate a tooth when working on it. It is also used to make oral-genital sex safer.

Because HIV and STDs have been found to exist in the vaginal fluids and menstrual blood of infected women, it is recommended that a latex barrier be used between the mouth and the vaginal area when cunnilingus (oral-genital contact) with a woman is being performed. A dam should also be used when performing anilingus (oral-anal contact or rimming).
Place the dam over the genitals of your partner, being especially careful to cover the area of oral-genital contact. Just be sure your mouth touches only one side of the dam, and her genitals touch only the other side. You would use it the same way for rimming: mouth on one side of the latex, anus on the other. Do not use the same dam to perform cunnilingus that you use for anilingus. Use two separate dams.

The use of a barrier is especially important when the active partner has bleeding gums or some sore in or around the mouth, or when the receptive partner is menstruating. For optimum safety, since the risk is greatest during these conditions, it is preferable to abstain completely from any oral-genital contact.

Store in a dark place. Take care not to rip the dental dam with fingernails or bite through it hard enough to tear the latex. Always test it before use by putting it under the faucet to be sure no liquid seeps through.

Avoid stretching the latex since excessive stretching can cause the latex to become porous. Do not use oil-based lubricants with latex since the oil damages and weakens latex rubber. We cannot guarantee 100% protection. With proper use, however, latex accessories can offer added protection, and greater peace of mind.

Although vaginal fluid ordinarily has a lower concentration of HIV or Hepatitis B than semen or blood, just how risky ingesting it remains an open question. We can say this: not using a dental dam exposes you to whatever risk there is.


Home >Publications		Welcome to Barnard College Student Health Services * Location: Lower Level Brooks Hall * 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 * Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. * Tuesday 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. GYN (by appointment only) * Tel: 212-854-2091 * Fax: 212-854-2702 * Closed Thursday 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. (Staff Meeting)
	How to use a Dental Dams Psst... You can make your own dental dam by cutting a rolled condom to thecenter and then opening it up. Very clever! A dental dam is a thin 6" x 6" square of latex which a dentist uses to isolate a tooth when working on it. It is also used to make oral-genital sex safer. Because HIV and STDs have been found to exist in the vaginal fluids and menstrual blood of infected women, it is recommended that a latex barrier be used between the mouth and the vaginal area when cunnilingus (oral-genital contact) with a woman is being performed. A dam should also be used when performing anilingus (oral-anal contact or rimming). Place the dam over the genitals of your partner, being especially careful to cover the area of oral-genital contact. Just be sure your mouth touches only one side of the dam, and her genitals touch only the other side. You would use it the same way for rimming: mouth on one side of the latex, anus on the other. Do not use the same dam to perform cunnilingus that you use for anilingus. Use two separate dams. The use of a barrier is especially important when the active partner has bleeding gums or some sore in or around the mouth, or when the receptive partner is menstruating. For optimum safety, since the risk is greatest during these conditions, it is preferable to abstain completely from any oral-genital contact. Store in a dark place. Take care not to rip the dental dam with fingernails or bite through it hard enough to tear the latex. Always test it before use by putting it under the faucet to be sure no liquid seeps through. Avoid stretching the latex since excessive stretching can cause the latex to become porous. Do not use oil-based lubricants with latex since the oil damages and weakens latex rubber. We cannot guarantee 100% protection. With proper use, however, latex accessories can offer added protection, and greater peace of mind. Although vaginal fluid ordinarily has a lower concentration of HIV or Hepatitis B than semen or blood, just how risky ingesting it remains an open question. We can say this: not using a dental dam exposes you to whatever risk there is.