Oral diagnosis; periodontics: Use of the basic periodontal examination and radiographs in the assessment of periodontal diseases in general dental practice

doi:doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4811826

British Dental Journal 197, 619 (2004)
Published online: 27 November 2004 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4811826

Oral diagnosis; periodontics:
Use of the basic periodontal examination and radiographs in the assessment of periodontal diseases in general dental practice

Abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by Dr Trevor Watts

Most dentists used the basic periodontal examination (BPE), but choice of radiographs varied considerably.

Tugnait A, Clerehugh Vet al. J Dent2004; 32: 17–25

This study investigated the degree to which the BPE was used by general dental practitioners (GDPs) who provide treatment in the British National Health Service (NHS), and how it related to their radiographic examination of periodontal disease. The BPE is based on the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Need. A random sample of 800 practitioners in the NHS was mailed a questionnaire up to 3 times, and the response rate was 74%; 107 of them had dental postgraduate qualifications.

Only 1% of GDPs did not use the BPE or pocket depth measurements for new adult patients. However, those who used these diagnostic procedures did not all do so on all occasions, and 80% used BPE to decide on the need for further periodontal examination. Those with additional qualifications were more likely to use BPE frequently for new and recall patients.

In respect of 6 specified scenarios, most GDPs used radiographic views different from those suggested by the Faculty of General Dental Practioners of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Some GDPs considered that periodontal assessment could not be separated from other aspects of dental assessment in their patients.