Variations in plaque scores in a small group of individuals over a four week time period

Individual plaque scores were assessed in a group of individuals over a four week period and compared to the group mean value for the group. No instruction in toothbrushing or professional prophylaxis was undertaken during the period of study. While the mean values for the group remained virtually unchanged throughout the course of the study, the levels of plaque varied considerably between individuals over the period of investigation. Thus it is concluded that the use of plaque scores in clinical practice may not adequately reflect the true relevance of dental plaque and its role in the initiation and progression of gingival inflammation in individuals. Furthermore, pooling of data from clinical trials masks the wide variations and changes in plaque scores in individual subjects which may adversely affect the conclusions drawn from the statistical analysis of the data.