BSP Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) & 2018 Classification Guide
The British Society of Periodontology (BSP) Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) and 2018 EFP/AAP Staging and Grading system are heavily tested across Paper A and Paper B of ORE Part 1. Here is your clear revision summary.
BSP Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) Scores
The BPE is a rapid screening tool using a World Health Organization (WHO) periodontal probe with a black band from 3.5mm to 5.5mm, applying 20 grams (0.2N) probing force across 6 anatomical sextants:
| BPE Code | Clinical Findings | Management Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Code 0 | Probing depth < 3.5mm, black band completely visible, no BOP, no calculus. | Preventive oral hygiene instruction (OHI). |
| Code 1 | Probing depth < 3.5mm, black band visible, Bleeding on Probing (BOP) present. | OHI and plaque removal. |
| Code 2 | Probing depth < 3.5mm, black band visible, supra/subgingival calculus or overhangs. | OHI, scaling, and removal of plaque-retentive margins. |
| Code 3 | Probing depth 3.5mm – 5.5mm (black band partially submerged). | Initial OHI, non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT), and post-treatment charting. |
| Code 4 | Probing depth > 5.5mm (black band completely submerged in pocket). | Full 6-point periodontal charting across dentition, NSPT, and specialist referral. |
| Code * | Furcation involvement (Class 1-3) or attachment loss ≥ 7mm in sextant. | Record asterisk (*) next to score; full periodontal examination required. |
💡 High-Yield ORE Exam Fact: 2018 EFP/AAP Periodontal Staging & Grading
Staging (Severity & Complexity): Stage I (1-2mm CAL, ≤4mm PD), Stage II (3-4mm CAL, ≤5mm PD), Stage III (≥5mm CAL, ≥4 teeth lost), Stage IV (≥5 teeth lost, masticatory dysfunction).
Grading (Rate of Progression): Grade A (Slow), Grade B (Moderate), Grade C (Rapid — heavy smoking ≥10 cigarettes/day or HbA1c ≥7.0%).
Key Periodontics Concepts Tested in ORE Part 1
- Socransky Red Complex: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia drive destructive tissue loss.
- Supportive Periodontal Therapy (SPT): Patients treated for Stage III/IV periodontitis require 3-month maintenance intervals.
- Peri-Implantitis vs Mucositis: Mucositis is reversible soft tissue inflammation without bone loss; Peri-implantitis includes progressive crestal bone loss.
Practice Periodontics SBA Questions
Reinforce your BSP & EFP classification knowledge with realistic ORE Part 1 practice questions.
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