Community dentistry: plaque index: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Community dentistry: plaque index

Sample item

An examiner scores plaque on four surfaces of each tooth by running a probe along the gingival margin and noting the presence and thickness of soft deposit, without a disclosing agent. Which index is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Plaque Index of Silness and Loe

The Silness-Loe plaque index scores plaque at the gingival margin by probe and visual inspection. The Quigley-Hein index uses a disclosing agent.

Option by option

  • A. Plaque Index of Silness and Loe (correct)

    Correct. This index grades plaque at the gingival margin without a stain.

  • B. Gingival Index of Loe and Silness

    The Gingival Index scores gingival inflammation, not plaque.

  • C. Simplified Oral Hygiene Index

    The OHI-S scores debris and calculus on index teeth.

  • D. Quigley-Hein plaque index

    The Quigley-Hein index needs disclosing solution.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Plaque Index of Silness and Loe. The Silness-Loe plaque index scores plaque at the gingival margin by probe and visual inspection.

Why is "Gingival Index of Loe and Silness" not the answer?

The Gingival Index scores gingival inflammation, not plaque.

Why is "Simplified Oral Hygiene Index" not the answer?

The OHI-S scores debris and calculus on index teeth.

Why is "Quigley-Hein plaque index" not the answer?

The Quigley-Hein index needs disclosing solution.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: plaque index in Dentistry. The Quigley-Hein index uses a disclosing agent.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Community dentistry: plaque index?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.