Dental dam - meaning and definition
Alsooral damlatex barrierdental damsoral sex barrier
Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.
Definition
A dental dam is a thin square of latex or polyurethane used as a barrier during oral sex on the vulva or anus to reduce the risk of STIs.
At a glance
- A dental dam is a thin square of latex or polyurethane.
- It is used as a barrier during oral sex on the vulva or anus.
- Each dam is used once.
- A condom cut lengthways into a rectangle can be used if no dam is available.
- Many sexual health clinics give dental dams out free.
In detail
Dental dams are placed flat over the area and used once. A condom cut lengthways into a rectangle can serve the same purpose if no dam is available.
They lower the risk of infections such as herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HPV that can pass on during oral sex. Many sexual health clinics give them out free.
In a sentence
- The clinic had a bowl of free condoms and dental dams at reception.
- The safer-sex leaflet showed how to turn a condom into a dental dam.
Where the word comes from
The name comes from dentistry, where similar thin sheets are used to isolate teeth during dental procedures.
Not to be confused with
- Internal condom
An internal condom is worn inside the vagina or anus rather than laid flat over the skin.
Common questions
What does a dental dam protect against?
It lowers the risk of infections that can pass on during oral sex, such as herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HPV. Like other barriers, it reduces rather than removes risk.
Where can I get dental dams?
Many sexual health clinics give them out free, and some pharmacies and online shops sell them. If none is available, a condom cut lengthways into a rectangle can serve the same purpose.
Related terms
Sources
- Planned ParenthoodSafer sex
- NHSSexually transmitted infections (STIs)