¶ Periodontal Charting (6-Point Probe)
¶ What you'll be able to do
After reading this guide you will be able to record a full-mouth periodontal chart in VeriPath Dental using the standard 6-point probe method. You will learn what the six measurement points are and where they sit on the tooth, how to create a periodontal exam, and how the pocket depth readings appear on the exam's tooth records.
Who does this? Dentists and dental hygienists carry out periodontal charting. Practice managers and dental admins can view the records. Receptionists do not normally record periodontal data.
Related guide: this page focuses on the 6-point pocket depth measurements. For mobility and recession scoring (recorded in the same exam), see Gingival Recession & Mobility Scoring.
¶ About the 6-point probe
Periodontal charting measures the depth of the gum pocket around each tooth using a periodontal probe. Every tooth is measured at six points — three on the cheek (buccal) side and three on the tongue (lingual) side:
| Point | Surface | Where it is |
|---|---|---|
| db | Distobuccal | Back, cheek side |
| b | Buccal | Middle, cheek side |
| mb | Mesiobuccal | Front, cheek side |
| dl | Distolingual | Back, tongue side |
| l | Lingual | Middle, tongue side |
| ml | Mesiolingual | Front, tongue side |
Each reading is recorded in millimetres. The deepest reading for the tooth is its max depth — an important indicator of the severity at that site.
¶ Step 1: Open the Periodontal screen
- Log in to VeriPath Dental.
- Click Periodontal in the top navigation bar.
The Periodontal Exams list opens. Each row is one full-mouth exam session, showing the patient, the clinician, the overall Plaque % and Bleeding % scores, and whether the exam is Completed or still Open.
¶ Step 2: Start a new exam
- From the Periodontal Exams list, click New Exam.
The New Periodontal Exam form opens.
¶ Step 3: Choose the appointment and practice
- Appointment — select the patient's appointment (shown as patient — date (type)). The patient is taken from the appointment.
- Practice — select the practice where the exam is being recorded.
¶ Step 4: Enter the overall scores
- Plaque Score (%) — the overall percentage of sites showing plaque (0–100).
- Bleeding Score (%) — the overall percentage of sites bleeding on probing (0–100).
- Appointment ID (optional) — usually left blank.
- Clinical Summary — a short summary, for example "Generalised pocketing on lower anteriors."
Note: per-tooth 6-point data (the pocket depths for each of the six surfaces) is recorded after the exam is created.
¶ Step 5: Save the exam
- Click Create Exam.
The exam is saved and you are taken to the exam detail page, where the per-tooth records are listed.
¶ Step 6: Review the 6-point tooth records
The Tooth Records (6-point) table lists one row per tooth:
| Column | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Tooth | The FDI tooth number (adult 11–48, primary 51–85) |
| Mobility | Tooth mobility grade (Grade 0 – Grade III) |
| Furcation | Furcation involvement class (None, Class I – Class III), where relevant |
| Pocket Depth | The 6-point pocket depths for the tooth, e.g. {db: 3, b: 2, mb: 3, dl: 2, l: 2, ml: 3} |
| Max Depth | The deepest single pocket reading for the tooth |
The Pocket Depth column stores all six surface readings in one record, so a full-mouth chart keeps every measurement for every tooth in one exam.
¶ Useful tips
- Probe gently and consistently — light, controlled pressure keeps readings accurate and comparable between visits.
- Record all six points — a full 6-point set per tooth is what makes the chart clinically useful over time.
- Max Depth tells the story — the deepest pocket at each tooth is usually the site that needs the most attention.
- Chart the whole mouth — record every tooth in the same exam so the chart is complete.