Oral Hygiene Index


Or·al Hy·giene In·dex (OHI),

(ōr'ăl hī'jēn in'deks), An index used in epidemiologic studies of dental disease to evaluate dental plaque and dental calculus separately.

oral hygiene index

Abbreviation: OHI
A popular indicator developed in 1960 to determine oral hygiene status in epidemiological studies. The index consists of an oral debris score and a calculus score. Six indicator teeth are examined for soft deposits and calculus. Numerical values are assigned to the six indicator teeth according to the extraneous deposits present. The scores are added and divided by the number of surfaces examined to calculate the average oral hygiene score. See also: index

Or·al Hy·giene In·dex

(OHI) (ōr'ăl hī'jēn in'deks) Measurement used in epidemiologic studies of dental disease to evaluate dental plaque and dental calculus separately.