Periodontal Health Indices

Periodontal Health

• Periodontal health can be evaluated through four aspects: bone loss, mobility, loss of attachment, and periodontal indices.
• Periodontal indices are used to quantify and gather information about periodontal disease.

Russell's Periodontal Index (RPI)

• RPI is a popular index used to quantify periodontal disease.
• It assigns a numeric score to each tooth, ranging from 0 (no inflammation or disease) to 8 (advanced destruction with loss of masticatory function).
• The scores are averaged to obtain a Periodontal Index score.

Gingival Index of Loe and Silness

• This index is commonly used to evaluate gingival health.
• It focuses on the loss of attachment as the sole indicator of periodontal health and disease.
• The cervico-enamel junction (CEJ) is used as a reference point, and a special periodontal probe is used to take two measurements: the distance from CEJ to the free gingival margin (FGM) and from FGM to the base of the pocket.

NIDR Gingival Index

• This index is used to measure gingival bleeding.
• The primary difference between GI and NIDR GI lies in the method of scoring.

Properties of an Index

• Validity: an index accurately reflects the extent or degree of a disease or condition.
• Reliability: an index gives the same results with limited degrees of tolerance each time it is applied.

Importance of an Index

• An index is used to compare the oral health status of a population following intervention and treatment.

Criteria for Selecting an Index

• The index should address the specific information of interest.
• The index should be suitable for the population.
• The index should provide valid estimates of disease in the population.

Reasons for Developing New Indices

• To compare the oral health status of a population following intervention or treatment.
• To accommodate population shifts and changes in disease experience.

Dental Indices

Caries Indices

• DMF (Decay, Missing and Filled Index): provides a broad overview of caries activity in a population.
• UTN (Unmet Restorative Needs): analyzes the needs of the population.
• RCI (Root Caries Index): assesses the extent of root caries experience within the context of individual risk.

Plaque and Oral Hygiene Indices

• PHP (Personal Hygiene Performance Index): measures oral hygiene, plaque, and calculus, and can be used to document and motivate changes in oral health habits.
• OHI-S (Oral Hygiene Index Simplified): a popular index for clinical epidemiologic research, quantifying plaque and calculus in two components: Debris Index and Calculus Index.

Indices of Periodontal Health

• Ways of looking at periodontal health include gingival health, mobility, loss of attachment, and periodontal indices.