29. Dental Plaque Flashcards
1
Q
Key features of dental plaque
A
- a biofilm of microbial species
- forms an extracellular polysaccharide matrix
- many species in complex, diverse community - a stable ecology
- dynamic community - adapts to external stimuli
- different constituent flora at aerobic and anaerobic sites
2
Q
What is the DMFT index?
A
- Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index
- summary of cumulative caries experience
- measures number of teeth that are decayed, missing (due to caries) or filled
- used in epidemiological studies
3
Q
How to measure DMFT?
A
- score a tooth as 1 if decayed, missing due to caries or filled
- score 0 if otherwise
- all measurements are 1 or 0 - dichotomous measure
- 3rd molars included, score of 32
- do not include teeth missing due to reasons other than caries (unerupted, missing, extracted for othodontic/periodontal reasons)
4
Q
Highest possible DMFT
A
32
5
Q
Give a variety of the DMFT
A
DMF (surface) index
- quantify extent of disease
6
Q
Limitations of the DMFT
A
- gives equal weight to missing, untreated caries or well restored teeth
- no measurement of extent of caries
- doesn’t consider other disease processes like periodontal disease
- no indication of teeth at risk
- sealants or PRRs given same weighting as heavily restored teeth
- rate of caries progression can not be assessed
- doesn’t represent current treatment needed
7
Q
Why do we measure dental plaque?
A
- indicate extent of plaque coverage of teeth
- used in epidemiological studies but also useful resource for individual patient care
8
Q
Give plaque indices
A
- Plaque coverage index
- Silness and Loe Plaque Index
- Oral Hygeine Index (Green and Vermillion)
- Simplified Oral Hygeine Index
- Modified Plaque Index by Schick and Ash
- (Modified) Quigely Hein Index
- Navy Plaque Index
9
Q
Explain Plaque Coverage Index
A
- measures number of surfaces with plaque present
- divide tooth into 6 areas (mesio-buccal, mid-buccal, disto-buccal, mesio-palatal, mid-palatal, disto-palatal (or ML,L,DL))
- assess whether or not plaque is present on each surface
- calculate percentage of surfaces present with visible plaque
10
Q
DO NOT do what 2 things in plaque coverage index?
A
- do not score occlusal surfaces
- do not quantify amount of plaque - either present or absent
11
Q
Explain finger rest
A
- whenever applying dental instruments to teeth (such as a probe), use finger rest
- stabilises and provides control to working hard
12
Q
Clinical technique of plaque coverage index
A
- cross infection
- patient positioning/lighting
- mirror and periodontal probe
- tell nurse which teeth are missing - crossed out on chart
- systematically relay yes/no to nurse
- upper buccal, upper palatal, lower buccal, lower lingual
- use midline as checkpoint
13
Q
On a chart, you … missing teeth and … surfaces with … for a plaque coverage index
A
- cross out
- blank out
- plaque present
14
Q
How to work out plaque coverage index
A
- total number of surfaces = number of teeth x 6
- number of surfaces where plaque is present = number of shaded areas in chart
- plaque index = number of surfaces with plaque / total number of surfaces (all x 100)
15
Q
What are disclosing tablets?
A
- harmless vegetable dye which stains plaque deposits in patient’s mouth
- thoroughly chewed tablet then rinse with water before examining areas
