PIP: The periodontal staus of 89 women who were receiving oral contraceptives (OCs) was compared with that of 72 women who were practicing other forms of contraception. The measurements of periodontal pockets showed a small but significant difference (p-less than .05) between the hormonal group who had been taking OCs longer than 1.5 years and the control group. Plaque accumulation in the control group was slightly greater than in the OC group, but the difference was nonsignificant, as was the difference in loss of attachment and gingival scores. It was concluded that although few differences in plaque and gingivitis levels existed between a group of women taking OCs and controls, those receiving OCs for more than 1.5 years exhibited greater periodontal destruction than those of comparable age in the control group. It was postulated that this difference may be due to an altered host resistance of the OC group.