Which statement about recording plaque on the perio chart is true?

• A. It yields a plaque index score
• B. It provides zero calculation
• C. It is identical to the plaque index
• D. It is used for diagnosis only

Answer: (B)

Recording plaque on the perio chart is a qualitative note of hygiene, not a scoring process. When you chart, you mark the presence of plaque on tooth surfaces, and you do not compute a numeric plaque index from it. A separate plaque index test would require counting plaque on surfaces and calculating a score, but that calculation isn’t part of standard perio charting. Therefore, recording plaque provides zero calculation. This charted plaque helps guide patient education and track hygiene over time, rather than producing a plaque index score or serving as a diagnostic by itself.