Evaluation of an oral disease control program administered to a clinic population at a suburban dental school

This study included 99 patients. Seventy-four of these participated in the Oral Disease Control program at Emory University School of Dentistry and 25 control patients did not. Those who completed the Oral Disease Control program were examined and scored from 2 to 24 months afterward. The Patient Hygiene Performance Scoring was used. It was found that there was no significant difference in levels of plaque between subjects who completed the Oral Disease Program and those who did not participate. Also, the patient's knowledge of the causes of dental caries and gingival disease bore no significant relationship to the amount of plaque present. Further, certain selected hygiene habits had no significant effect on plaque level. The patients studied were enthusiastic about the control program and developed an increased awareness of oral disease control. However, this study confirms others that demonstrate the need for repeated professional reinforcement in any effective oral disease control program.