Gerardo Viadas
Ms. Ogami
4/27/10
Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) Assignment
The gingival bleeding index is a reversible dental index developed by Carter and Barnes (1974) that
enables the practitioner to determine the presence of disease by observing bleeding of the gingiva
(interdental papilla) while flossing thirty interproximal contacts (if thirty-two teeth are present).
Bleeding upon flossing indicates disease and this will help determine the gingival/oral condition of the
patient’s mouth. The amount of bleeding sites versus proximal areas is scored and registered then used
for patient motivation. This index can be used to patient motivation, clinical study, diagnose, and
treatment. Following this index, disclosing solution can be utilized to help the patient indentify plaque
accumulation throughout the dentition. Formula: x = equals the amount of bleeding interdental papillas
/ total amount of interdental papillas, multiplied by 100 will equal the percentage of diseased tissue.
Example: A patient has 32 teeth (30 interdental papillas) of which 17 interdental papillas bled. What is
the percentage amount? 17/30= .567x100=56.7% or 57%.
Some important facts about dental indices are that indices should be uncomplicated. Indices should be
valid, reliable, concise, adaptive, acceptable, quantifiable, and clinically significant. The gingival bleeding
index complies with all of these prerequisites making a valuable assessment tool for dental hygienists.
The article attached to this paper uses the gingival bleeding index to compare pre-operative and postoperative conditions after chewing pycnogenol [R] chewing gum. After using the chewing gum and
comparing the pre and post operative gingival bleeding indices. Research demonstrated that
pycnogenol [R] chewing does reduce biofilm buildup. This is one example on how the gingival bleeding
index plays a role in clinical studies and in dentistry overall.
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Gerardo Viadas
Ms. Ogami
4/27/10
References:
Kimbrough, C., Chun, M., Roca, G., Dela, Lau, B.H.S. (2003). Pycnogenol [R] chewing gum
minimizes gingival bleeding and plaque formation. The Free Library by Farlex, (12), E292.
Retrieved April 26, 2010, from:
http//www.thefreelibrary.com/PYCNOGENOL%5BR%5D+chewing+gum+minimizes.plaque.com
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