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A basic guide to gingival examination

BDJ Student volume 30, pages 30–31 (2023)Cite this article

Periodontal disease has been acknowledged as a global burden due to high incidence of cases, with severe periodontitis being ranked sixth in prevalence globally.1 As life expectancy increases and tooth loss decreases, periodontitis burden, especially severe periodontitis, is increasing. Additionally, periodontal disease is mainly undiagnosed and progresses within years due to its chronic and asymptomatic nature. Accordingly, patients generally seek treatment only when symptoms are evident, such as tooth migration, drifting, or increased tooth mobility. These symptoms usually indicate an advanced stage of periodontal disease and increase the likelihood of tooth loss. Thus, this will adversely affect oral health quality of life by impairing masticatory function and aesthetics.2

This brings us to the role of the basic periodontal examination (BPE), which serves as a screening tool for periodontal disease.3 A dentist is responsible for providing periodontal screening to new patients in order to detect any presence of periodontal disease. This benefits patients as it allows recognition of the earlier signs of periodontal disease, provision of earlier intervention, and thus, preventing the progression of the disease towards a more advanced and severe stage.

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  2. Ferreira M C, Dias-Pereira A C, Branco-de-Almeida L S, Martins C C, Paiva S M. Impact of periodontal disease on quality of life: a systematic review. J Periodontal Res 2017; 52: 651-665.

  3. British Society of Periodontology. Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE). Available online at: www.bsperio.org.uk/assets/downloads/BSP_BPE_Guidelines_2019.pdf (accessed April 2023).

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  1. International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Nur Zety Mohd Noh

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  1. Nur Zety Mohd Noh
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Mohd Noh, N. A basic guide to gingival examination. BDJ Student 30, 30–31 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-023-0944-8

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