Saliva-based colorimetric test as an index of gingival inflammation in epidemiologic studies

There is a pressing need for a reliable, low-cost method of assessing the gingival and periodontal status of large population groups. Existing indexes, despite their value in dental public health, are still too subject to examiner variability for use by uncalibrated examiners. This study describes an evaluation of a quick, inexpensive, extraoral colorimetric test for gingival inflammation, based on a reaction between saliva and the test material. It could probably be applied by non-professional personnel. In this study, the test was applied to a population of elementary schoolchildren, dental hygiene students and faculty, and adult inmates of two correctional institutions. These populations were chosen on the assumption that they would exhibit varying intensities of gingival inflammation. Values obtained from the colorimetric test carried out by one researcher were compared with Gingival Index (GI) scores observed by a different examiner. Results suggest that the colorimetric test may be a valid, reliable means of detecting major differences in the prevalence of gingival inflammation in most adult populations, although having little, if any, useful application among children at the mixed dentition stage.