The Patient Hygiene Performance Index measures plaque removal on how many teeth?

The Patient Hygiene Performance Index measures plaque removal on how many teeth?

• A. Eight teeth
• B. Six teeth
• C. Sixteen teeth
• D. Thirty teeth

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that the Patient Hygiene Performance Index is a quick, representative way to gauge how well a patient can remove plaque. It does this by focusing on six selected teeth that reflect different regions of the mouth (covering anterior and posterior areas and both arches). The examiner checks those six teeth after a standardized cleaning step and records whether plaque remains on defined surfaces. Because only six teeth are used, this index gives a practical snapshot of the patient’s plaque-control performance without examing every tooth. That’s why the measure pertains to six teeth rather than eight, sixteen, or all thirty.

The main idea here is that the Patient Hygiene Performance Index is a quick, representative way to gauge how well a patient can remove plaque. It does this by focusing on six selected teeth that reflect different regions of the mouth (covering anterior and posterior areas and both arches). The examiner checks those six teeth after a standardized cleaning step and records whether plaque remains on defined surfaces. Because only six teeth are used, this index gives a practical snapshot of the patient’s plaque-control performance without examing every tooth. That’s why the measure pertains to six teeth rather than eight, sixteen, or all thirty.