Probing Readings and Documentation
guestuser asked 8 years ago
I work for a corporate company in which the dentist performs new patient exams and then patients see me for treatment. When looking at the probing readings, which is done on paper, only probe scores are documented. No bleeding points, recession, or mobility is noted per tooth. There is a box that is marked that says mobility and recession. IÍm not sure how to treat these patients without knowing what is really going on in their mouths.
1 Answers
Jill Rethman, RDH, BA answered 6 years ago
Probing depths provide a solid baseline to initiate therapy. Bleeding, mobility, and recession can add to determining a diagnosis and developing treatment plan, as well. Bleeding is a valuable tool because if bleeding is present prior to a treatment, such as scaling and root planing, but does not appear following treatment, this signifies a therapeutic benefit for the patient. Different offices vary in the way information is collected and utilized to formulate a treatment plan. If there is a concern about not enough patient information being collected, this should be discussed with the dentist, office staff, and dental team members.
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