Which tool is used to assess the Plaque Control Record?

• A. Gingival Probe
• B. Dental Mirror
• C. Disclosing Solution
• D. Intraoral Camera

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is visualizing dental plaque so you can quantify how well a patient controls biofilm. A disclosing solution stains plaque on the tooth surfaces, making it visible under inspection. After applying and rinsing, you check each tooth surface and record whether plaque is present or not, then calculate the percentage of surfaces with plaque to determine the Plaque Control Record. Without the disclosing agent, plaque is often hard to see clearly, especially on early or thin films, which would make an accurate record unreliable.

Other tools have different purposes. A gingival probe measures periodontal depths and bleeding; a dental mirror helps you see, but it doesn’t reveal plaque by itself; an intraoral camera documents anatomy or caries but won’t show current plaque unless used with a disclosing agent. That’s why the disclosing solution is the tool used to assess the Plaque Control Record.