Indices for

oral diseases
Dr. Naveed
Irfan
 Definition
 As defined by Russell A.L

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.
 Ideal requisites for indices
 Clarity, Simplicity, objectivity
 Validity
 Reliability
 Quantifiability
 Sensitivity
 Acceptability
Purposes and uses of index
 An individual oral health assessment
score, a clinical trial and a community
health epidemiological survey
 Individual score: in clinical practice,
an index, plaque record, or scoring
system for an individual patient can be
used for education, motivation and
evaluation.
Uses of individual clinical score
Provides individual assessment
Reveals the degree of
effectiveness
Motivates the person
Evaluates the success of
individual treatment
 Clinical trial
Aclinical trial is planned for the
determination of the effect of
an agent or procedure on the
progression, control, or
prevention of disease.
 Trial
is conducted by comparing an
experimental group with a control
group.
 Determine baseline data
 Measures the effectiveness of
specific agents
 Measures the effectiveness of
mechanical devices
 Epidemiologic survey
 An epidemiologic survey is to
study the disease characteristics
of populations. It has been used
with populations around the
world to study the extent of
diseases.
Uses of epidemiologic survey
 Shows the prevalence and
incidence of a particular condition
 Provides baseline data
 Assess the needs of community
 Compares the effects of a
community programs and
evaluates the results.
 Descriptive categories
 General categories
 (a). Simple index
 (b). Cumulative index
 Types of simple and cumulative
indices
 Irreversible e.g DMFT
 Reversible e.g Plaque index
 Indices for oral diseases
 Plaque Index (PLI)
 Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S)
 Gingival Index (GI)
 Periodontal Index (PI)
 Periodontal disease index (PDI)
 Community Periodontal Index of
Treatment Needs (CPITN)
 Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT)
 Decayed, Missing and Filled Surface
(DMFS)
 decayed and filled teeth (dft)
 decayed and filled surfaces (dfs)
 Deans Fluorosis Index
 Community Fluorosis Index (CFI)
 Angles Classification