Guidelines for Patient Management

Code 0:

Appropriate preventive care should be given as well as a review of daily plaque control habits.

Code 1:

Individualized oral hygiene instructions should be reinforced with the patient. Appropriate therapy, including subgingival plaque removal should be performed.

Code 2:

Individualized oral hygiene instruction and appropriate therapy, including subgingival plaque removal, as well as the removal of calculus and the correction of plaque-retentive margins and restorations should be performed.

Code 3:

A comprehensive periodontal examination and charting of the affected sextant are necessary to determine an appropriate care plan. This examination and documentation should include the following: identification of probing depths, clinical attachment levels (gingival recession), bleeding on probing, mobility, mucogingival problems, furcation involvement, and radiographs. If one or more sextants score a Code 3, a comprehensive full mouth examination and charting are indicated.

Code 4:

A comprehensive full mouth periodontal examination and charting are necessary to determine an appropriate care plan. This examination and documentation should include the following: identification of probing depths, clinical attachment levels (gingival recession), bleeding on probing, mobility, mucogingival problems, furcation involvement, and radiographs. It can be assumed that advanced periodontal treatment will be required.

Symbol (*):

If an abnormality exists in the presence of Codes 0, 1, or 2, the clinician should make a specific notation and/or treatment for that condition as needed. If an abnormality exists in the presence of Code 3 or 4, a comprehensive periodontal examination and charting are necessary to determine an appropriate care plan.