Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of the general characteristics of dental patients to their total O'Leary index and individual plaque indexes in a bid to check the oral hygiene state of citizens and evaluate their plaque management ability. The subjects in this study were 288 patients at dental hospitals and clinics in Busan and South Gyeongsang Province. A survey was conducted from September to November 2008. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. Overall, the O'Leary index of the patients investigated stood at 72 percent. By age and gender, the O'Leary index was highest among those in their 30s(83%) and among the women(75%)(p<.05). As to the influence of toothbrushing frequency, the patients who did it twice or more a day had the highest O'Leary index(75%)(p<.001). By the use of oral hygiene supplies, the patients who used oral hygiene supplies had a higher O'Leary index(76%) than the others who didn't(p<.01). 2. As for plaque index for each tooth, 28 percent of their teeth were given zero point, and 52 percent were given one mark. 13 percent were given two marks, and 6.3 percent were given three marks. Thus, the teeth that were given one mark were largest in number(p<.001). 3. As for plaque index for labial posterior mandibular, 43 percent of their teeth were given one point, and 36 percent were given zero mark. 14 percent were given three mark, and 5 percent were given three marks(p<.01). 4. As for plaque index for buccal posterior maxilla, 57 percent of their teeth were given one point, and 20 percent were given zero mark. 16 percent were given two mark, and 6.3 percent were given three marks(p<.01). 5. As for plaque index for lingual posterior mandibular, 56 percent of their teeth were given one point, and 27.8 percent were given zero mark. 9 percent were given three mark and 6 percent were given three mark(p<.001).