BPE

• Start in a posterior sextant at the end of the second molar and work forward

• Probe buccally around the gingival margin of each tooth using a gentle pressure of no more than 20g

• Once you have probed buccally of the posterior sextant, probe palatally of the same sextant as the BPE code you assign is the highest code for that particular sextant

  • Have finger rest for stability and accuracy

• Move onto the anterior sextant buccally then palatally and assign a BPE code

• Continue to work around other sextants to complete a full mouth BPE

A WHO BPE probe is used that has a ball end 0.5mm in diameter and a black band 3.5-5.5mm with a second band 7.5-11.5mm

The probe is gently walked around the gingival sulcus/pockets on each sextant.

The probe tip is kept in contact with the tooth surface throughout.

Create a walking stroke by moving probe tip up and down in short bobbing movements. Move forward 1mm increments.

The probe is not removed from the sulcus with each stroke as repeatedly removing the probe can traumatise the gingival tissues and cause patient discomfort

BPE

0: pockets <3.5mm, no bleeding and no calculus

1: pockets <3.5mm, bleeding on probing

2: pockets <3.5mm, calculus or overhang

3: probing 3.5-5.5mm

4: probing >5.5mm

*: furcation involvement