Perio

Last updated: 2026-03-29

Overview

The Periodontal (Perio) Charting module allows dental professionals to record and monitor a patient's gum health. It provides a fast, keyboard-friendly visual grid to input 6-point measurements for pocket depths, plaque, and bleeding. The system automatically calculates clinical indices and draws a visual representation of the gum line on the patient's dental chart.

When Do I Use This?

  • During routine dental check-ups to record Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) scores.
  • When performing comprehensive periodontal evaluations for patients with gum disease.
  • To track the progression of a patient's gum health or healing over multiple visits.

How To Use

Recording BPE Screening Scores

If you are just doing a quick screening, use the top BPE panel.

  1. Locate the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) panel at the top of the screen.
  2. Click into the boxes corresponding to the patient's mouth sextants (e.g., UR for Upper Right).
  3. Type the score number. The system will save this automatically when you save the chart.

Entering 6-Point Charting Data

The main grid is designed for speed. You can enter all data without using your mouse.

  1. Click into the first measurement box on the grid.
  2. Type the pocket depth number (e.g., 2, 3, 4). The cursor will automatically move to the next site.
  3. If you need to note a clinical condition at that specific site, use your keyboard letters:
    • Press B to toggle Bleeding (box turns red).
    • Press P to toggle Plaque (box changes color).
    • Press S to toggle Suppuration/Pus.
  4. Use the Arrow Keys to freely navigate up, down, left, and right across the teeth.
  5. To correct a mistake, navigate back to the box and press Backspace or Delete.

Saving Your Work

  1. Review the auto-calculated Bleeding and Plaque percentages at the top right of the screen.
  2. Click Save Draft to save your progress and continue editing later.
  3. If the exam is completely finished, use the finalize option to lock the record (this will make it available as history for the patient's next visit).

Field Descriptions

Field Name Description
Bleeding / Plaque Stats Automatically calculated percentages based on how many sites have bleeding or plaque flagged vs. total recorded sites.
BPE Sextants Screening scores for Upper Right (UR), Upper Anterior (UA), Upper Left (UL), Lower Right (LR), Lower Anterior (LA), and Lower Left (LL).
Tooth Number The standard identification number for the tooth being charted.
Facial / Lingual Sites The 6 points of measurement per tooth (Distal, Mid, and Mesial on both the facial/buccal and lingual/palatal sides).
Mobility A single numeric rating for how loose the tooth is in its socket.
Note A brief text space to type specific clinical observations for that individual tooth.
Tip for Hygienists: Put your mouse away! Once you click into the first tooth cell, keep one hand on your number pad and the other near the B and P keys. You can chart a full mouth in a fraction of the time.
Note: If the patient has a previous finalized Perio Chart, the system will automatically load it in the background to visually highlight changes in their gum health since their last visit.
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