This survey attempted to determine the status of oral cleanliness and gingival health in 150 dental students and 101 faculty members in a dental school. Without advance notice, plaque deposits were scored, using the Plaque Index System, and gingival health was determined using the criteria of the Gingival Index System. The 1st-year students had the poorest hygiene and gingival health. An improvement (P less than 0.01) was noted in the 2nd-year students who were still not in clinical training but had completed a course in preventive dentistry including oral hygiene techniques. Further improvement (P less than 0.05) was found in students participating in the clinical courses (3rd and 4th years). However, some deterioration of both hygiene and gingival status occurred in the senior 5th year. Among the faculty, the best oral hygiene and gingival state were found in members of departments in which clinical work centered around patient motivation toward prevention and tooth conservation. The scores for plaque and gingivitis were worse in the departments of oral surgery, dental materials, orthodontics and the basic science departments. Almost all departments and every class showed a few individuals with very poor oral hygiene. It is suggested that regular patient contact influences the personal attitude toward oral hygiene, and that professional activity and emphasis on different aspects of the curriculum may be reflected in the attitude of health professionals toward oral health.