Periodontal Screening and Recording: Early Detection of Periodontal Diseases

Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) is a rapid method of screening patients to decide if a more comprehensive assessment is necessary. After taking this course, the participant will understand the benefits of the PSR system, identify who should be screened for periodontal problems, discuss the PSR system scoring and understand how it works, recommend treatment based upon the code interpretations, and discuss the PSR system with patients.

A complete periodontal assessment includes a thorough review of the patient's medical and dental histories, as well as the recording of gingival findings including probing depths, clinical attachment levels, tooth mobility and position, occlusal relationships, and bone levels.6

It is important the dentist or dental hygienist monitor and evaluate a patient's periodontal status on a regular basis. Periodontal diseases are the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.1 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 47.2% of adults in the United States have a form of periodontal disease. The rate increases to 70.1% for those Americans age 65 and older.9 A 2012 study by Eke et al. found periodontal disease to be more common in men than in women and in adults who had not completed high school.10 Every oral examination should include an evaluation of the periodontium. The ultimate goal of the periodontal assessment is to identify and classify periodontal disease.3 Although the Periodontal Screening and Recording® (PSR) is not intended to replace a full mouth probing and recording of findings, it is a rapid method of screening patients to decide if a more comprehensive assessment is necessary.