INTRODUCTION

Dental index or indices are devices to find out the incidence, prevalence and severity of the disease, based on
which preventive programs can be adopted.
An index is an expression of the clinical observation in a numerical value. It helps to describe the status of the
individual or group with respect to a condition being measured. An index score can be more consistent and less
subjective than a word description of that condition.
DEFINITIONS
'A numerical value describing the relative status of a population on a graduated scale with definite upper and
lower limits, which is designed to permit and facilitate comparison with other populations classified by the same
criteria and methods". - Russell A.L.
"Epidemiologic indices are attempts to quantitate clinical conditions on a graduated scale, thereby facilitating
comparison among populations examined by the same criteria and methods. - Irving Glickman

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING AN INDEX

1. The index must be simple to use and calculate.
2. The index should permit the examination of many people in a short period of time.
3. The index should require minimum armamentarium and expenditure.
4. The index should have the criteria's, which defines its components clear and readily understandable so as
to promote miner maximum intra and inter examiner reproducibility and standardization.
5. The index should be as free as possible from subjective interpretation.
6. The index should define clinical conditions objectively.
7. The index should be highly reproducible in assessing a clinical condition when used by one or more
examiners.
8. The index should be amenable to statistical analysis.
9. The index should be strongly related numerically to the clinical stages of the specific disease under
investigation.
10. The index should be equally sensitive throughout the scale, if it relates to the severity of a variable.
11 .The index should not cause discomfort to the patient and should be acceptable to the patient.

CLASSIFICATION OF INDICES
In general, there are two types of dental indices.
The first type of index measures the 'number' or 'proportion' of people in a population with or without a
specific condition at a specific point in time or interval of time.
The second type of dental index measures the 'number of people affected and the 'severity' of the specific
condition at a specific time or interval of time.
1. based upon the direction in which their scores can fluctuate,
• Irreversible Index: An index that measures conditions whose scores will not decrease on subsequent
examinations. Eg: DMFT Index
• Reversible Index: An index, that measures conditions that can increase or decrease on subsequent
examinations. Eg : Loe and Silness Gingival Index.
2. Depending upon the extent to which which areas of oral cavity are measured,
# Full Mouth Indices:
These indices measure the patient's entire periodontium or dentition. Eg:Russell's Periodontal Index
(PI).
# Simplified Indices:
These indices measure only a representative sample of the dental apparatus. Eg: Greene &
Vermillion's Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S).
3. Indices may be classified under certain general categories according to the entity which they
measure,
# Disease Index
The 'D' (decay) portion of the DMFT Index best exemplifies a disease index.
# Symptom Index
The indices measuring gingival / sulcular bleeding are essentially symptom indices.
# Treatment Index
The 'F' (filled) portion of the DMFT Index best exemplifies a treatment index.
4. Dental indices can also be classified under special categories as,
# Simple Index:
An index that measures the presence or absence of a condition. Eg: Silness and Loe Plaque Index
# Cumulative Index:
An index that measures all the evidence of a condition, past and present.
Eg : DMFT Index for dental caries.

USES OF AN INDEX
When used for individuals, an index can,
1. Provide individual assessment to help a patient recognize an oral problem.
2. Reveal the degree of effectiveness of present oral hygiene practices.
Motivate the person in preventive and professional care for the elimination and control of oral disease.
3. Evaluate the success of individual and professional treatment over a period of time by comparing
index scores.
4. When used in research, an index can,
1. Determine baseline data before experimental factors are introduced.
2. Measure the effectiveness of specific agents or devices for the prevention, control or treatment of
oral conditions.
When used in community health, an index can,
1. Show the prevalence and trends of incidence of a particular condition occurring within a given
population.
2. Provide baseline data to show existing dental health conditions in the community.
3. Assess the needs of a community.
4. Compare the effects of a community program and evaluate the results.