1. Oral Health Training & Calibration Programme
Attachment Loss & Probing

2. Calibration Challenge Examples
-Probing by the first examiner increases likelihood of bleeding found by next examiner
-Therefore, the training will focus on the technique rather than actual score

3. Principles -Sensing force - 20 grams
test this by placing the probe tip under the thumb nail and press until blanching occurs
-Probing
parallel to the long axis of the tooth, do not angulate the probe into the interproximal area
More on this as we work through the indicies

4. Attachment Loss ≥ age 15

5. Attachment Loss B=Distance in MM from FGM to CEJ
Probing Depth (A) =FGM to
base of pocket in mm
0 to 12 mm scale
B=Distance in MM from FGM to CEJ
Attachment loss (AL) is defined as the distance in mm from the base of the pocket/sulcus to the CEJ.
A –B = AL
Record the worst score for each tooth

6. Periodontal Probe
The Williams Periodontal Probe
Bands at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10mm
Round down all fractional millimetre measurements to the lowest whole millimetre before calling the number.

7. Pocket Depth Pocket can develop at any points around the tooth.
Probing involves stepping a calibrated periodontal probe around the tooth and recording the deepest point of the six tooth measurements:
distofacial,
facial,
mesiofacial
distoligual,
lingual, and;
Mesiolingual
Periodontal probing should be done gently

8. Pocket Depth Score Index Teeth Depth in mm (0 to 9mm)
Measure from crest of gingiva to base of pocket
Walk the probe around the tooth
20g force
Follow the long axis of the tooth
Record the worst depth at each of the six sites

9. Pocket Depth Score
For mesial (M) and distal (D) interproximal sites, place the probe parallel to the long axis of the tooth and facially adjacent to the dental contact area.
Angulating the probe into the interproximal area under the dental contact is not permitted.
If the adjacent tooth is missing, approach the mesial and distal sites from the buccal aspect, keeping the probe in the direction of the long axis of the tooth and adjacent to the position that would have been the interproximal contact area.
If a tooth has rotated, use the original coronal anatomy to determine landmarks.
Round down any fractional millimetres.
DK When probing depth cannot be determined (e.g., base of pocket/crevice cannot be reached due to calculus).