Plaque Index
A standardized scoring system used to quantify the amount of dental plaque present at specified tooth surfaces during periodontal assessment.
Full Definition
Plaque indices provide a reproducible, numerical measure of oral hygiene status by scoring the presence and sometimes the thickness of dental plaque at defined tooth surfaces. Common systems include the Silness and Löe Plaque Index (0–3 scale) and the O'Leary Plaque Control Record (percentage of plaque-positive surfaces). These scores form part of the periodontal chart and are used to monitor patient compliance and treatment response over time. Editors must be aware that multiple plaque index systems exist and should ensure the specific system used is identified and consistently applied throughout a manuscript.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify which plaque index system was used. Multiple validated systems exist; conflating them is a common manuscript error.
In Context
- "Baseline plaque index scores were recorded using the Silness and Löe system at six sites per tooth." — Clinical trial methods section
- "The paper conflates plaque index with gingival index — the editor should request clarification, as these measure different parameters." — Peer-review annotation