Abstract: Disclosed is a dental dam configured for positioning in a mouth of a dental patient to prevent foreign objects from entering the patient's throat. The dam includes a central portion having a convex top edge that may be positioned adjacent to the patient's palate and a bottom edge positioned adjacent to the patient's tongue. Transition portions extend outwardly from the central portion and have a reduced height so that they may be positioned in the patient's retromolar area. Outer wing portions extend outwardly from each transition portion and have rounded edges for positioning inside the patient's cheek. The dental dam also includes an elastomeric reinforcement positioned in the central portion of the dam and having a reduced thickness toward the edges of the dam, such that the edges of a dam are more pliable and the central portion of the dam is more rigid.