Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE)

• Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) is a foundation in clinical skills and practice.
• Students should be able to explain the key features and considerations for the BPE.
• Students should be aware of the limitations of the BPE.
• Students should be able to explain the features found on a WHO probe and relate to usage of this probe.
• Students should be able to demonstrate usage of criteria associated with the BPE index.
• Students should be able to describe clinical findings and treatment needs associated with each BPE code.

British Society of Periodontology Guidance

• Refer to British Society of Periodontology Guidance 2019.
• The BPE was first developed by the British Society of Periodontology in 1986.
• Previous versions were produced in 1986, 1994, 2000, 2011, and 2016.
• Next review is scheduled for 2024.
• BPE stemmed from CPITN, which stands for Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs.
• BPE is also known as PSR or PEPE.

Periodontal Screening Tool Features

• BPE is a simple and rapid screening tool.
• It indicates the level of further examination needed.
• It provides guidance on treatment needed and represents the minimum standard of care for initial periodontal assessment.
• BPE should be used for screening purposes only and not for diagnosis.

Limitations of BPE

• BPE is not suitable for monitoring patients.
• It is not a treatment outcome measure and does not provide a diagnosis.

BPE Considerations

• Calculus
• Bleeding
• Overhangs
• Pocket Depths

WHO / BPE Probe

• The WHO/BPE probe has specific ball height, features, and rationale.
• There is a black band on the probe.
• It is important to consider what pressure to use and how to move the probe.

Recording a BPE

• The mouth is divided into sextants.
• Sextants include: UR (17-14), UA (13-23), UL (24-27), LR (47-44), LA (43-33), LL (34-37).
• Each sextant must contain at least 2 teeth.
• All teeth are included except 8's, unless first and/or second molar is missing.
• If a sextant has no teeth, it is not accountable.
• An asterisk (*) indicates furcation.

BPE Scoring Codes

• Code 0: Pockets are less than 3.5mm, no calculus/overhangs, and no bleeding on probing; the black band is entirely visible, and no treatment is needed, so encourage continuing with oral hygiene.
• Code 1: Pockets are less than 3.5mm, no calculus/overhangs, but bleeding on probing is present, and the black band is entirely visible.
• Code 2: Pockets are less than 3.5mm, supra- or subgingival calculus/overhangs are present, and the black band is entirely visible.
• Code 3: Probing depth is 3.5-5.5mm; the black band is partially visible indicating a pocket of 4-5mm, and initial phase therapy is indicated.
• Code 4: Probing depth is greater than 5.5mm; the black band disappears indicating a pocket of 6mm or more.
• Furcation involvement is noted with an asterisk (*).