Objective: To compare the efficacy of two commercially available dentifrices (colgate total toothpaste containing triclosan and copolymer was used as the experimental and a toothpaste containing triclosan without copolymer the control) in the control of dental plaque and gingivitis. Methods: A double blind clinical study was conducted in 200 adult male and female subjects from Chengdu, China were entered into the study and stratified into two treatment groups which were balanced for age, sex, baseline of Quigley Hein plaque index scores(PI) and baseline of Loe Silness gingival index scores(GI). Subjects received an oral prophylaxis and were instructed to brush their teeth for one minute twice daily with their assigned dentifrice. Three and six months after application of the dentifrices plaque and gingivitis examinations were conducted. Results: At the end of the study, 183 subjects complied with the protocol and completed the entire six month study. Before use of the dentifrices GI in experimental and control groups was 1.63?0.36 and 1.68?0.34, it was 0.45?0.30 and 0.52?0.33 in 3 months, and 0.43?0.32 and 0.58?0.38 in 6 months( P