Clinical index systems used to assess the efficacy of mouth-rinses on plaque and gingivitis

Abstract The American Dental Association's Council on Dental Therapeutics has adopted Guidelines for acceptance of hemo therapeutic products for the control of supragingival dental plaque and gingivitis. The most widely used plaque indices are the plaque index (PI) and the Turesky index. Gingivitis has usually been assessed by the Loe and Silness method, although the modified gingival index of Lobene and a bleeding index reported by Caton and Poison have also been used. To date. 2 products have been accepted by the Council as being effective in helping control supragingival plaque and gingivitis. These products were evaluated using clinical indices described in this review. The indices were selected from the many in the literature as being valid, reliable, and easily learned. Suggestions are made for criteria to be used in comparability studies.