Periodontal probe use in general practice in Florida.
Use of the periodontal probe in 134 Florida dental practices was studied. Results indicated that 62% of the practices performed a complete recorded periodontal probing for new patients. Recall patients received a complete recorded periodontal probing in 57% of the practices at a mean frequency of 12.7 months. Selected site probing was performed in 22% of the offices as part of the new patient examination, and in 34% of the offices as part of the recall examination. In the examinations in 57% of the practices, changes in pocket depths were detected that could suggest changes in connective tissue levels.
College of Dentistry, University of Florida, JHMHC, Gainesville 32610
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Heins
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Fuller
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Fries
D003756:Dental Hygienists; D005431:Florida; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000473:pathology*; D010517:Periodontics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000473:pathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires