Abstract
This project is a logical continuation of our dental health program initiated in 1993 at a junior high school in Tokushima. In this current program, we evaluated the gingival condition using the PMA index performed during dental examinations from 1996. Because the score of the PMA index might be inconsistent between examiners, only one dentist performed the examinations from 1996 to 2004. In 2005, we modified this method to obtain a more objective estimation of gingivitis. More specifically, 5 dentists assigned the score of the PMA index and estimated GO (gingivitis under observation)/G (gingivitis) in 39 students using oral photographs obtained during dental examinations. A year later, 5 dentists re-evaluated the status after calibration of the PMA index based on the visual material from these results. Based on the results, we confirmed that this calibration was useful to reduce the discrepancy between examiners, even if some problems still remained regarding evaluations using oral photographs. Furthermore, the data obtained from oral photographs and the PMA index were found to be an efficient tool in dental health guidance by school teachers.
