The Oral Exam: Nomenclature and Numbering

February is Dental month and we know anything is "paw"sible 🐾! This month the MED team would like to provide guidelines and recommendations for the at home dental exam and resources for clients regarding home dental care. This week our focus is on proper documentation for the oral examination.

Common Indices Used in Veterinary Dentistry for proper medical record documentation:

Calculus=Hard must be removed with hand scaling or ultrasonic cleaning

Calculus Index (CI)-Whole Mouth Score

0 = No calculus
1 = Some supragingival calculus covering <25% of the tooth surface
2 = Moderate calculus covering 25-50% of the tooth surface
3 = Heavy calculus covering > 50% of the tooth surface

Gingival Index (GI)-Whole Mouth Score

0 = Normal gingiva
1 = Marginal gingivitis, mild swelling, some color change
2 = Moderate swelling and inflammation of gingiva
3 = Marked swelling and inflammation, spontaneous bleeding

Plaque=Soft, fresh and mostly removed with at-home brushing

Plaque Index (PI)-Whole Mouth Score

0 = No plaque
1 = Thin film along gingival margin covering <25% of the tooth surface
2 = Moderate accumulation of plaque covering 25-50% of the tooth surface
3 = Abundant soft plaque covering > 50% of the tooth surface

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For example: a 6mos old puppy - CI-0 GI-0 PI-0

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vs. 8yo GSD CI-3 GI-3 PI-3

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Common Numbering Nomenclature for the oral exam and dental identification: MED team recommends the Triadan Numbering System for our Electronic Medical Records. Utilizing common nomenclature will provide easy to follow documentation for all team members of The Vets.

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Triadan Numbering System: based on quadrants.

Right Maxillary=1xx

Left Maxillary=2xx

Left Mandibular=3xx

Right Mandibular=4xx

Central Incisor=01

Canine=04 and so on

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Deciduous Teeth:

Right Maxillary=5xx

Left Maxillary=6xx

Left Mandibular=7xx

Right Mandibular=8xx

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Previous numbering systems are difficult to use in Electronic Medical Records and the super and sub-scripts can be difficult. Using recommended nomenclature for your medical records can simplify the follow-up process, referrals and continuum of care, by having standardized documentation techniques.

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References:

Holmstrom, S. E. (2013, 2000). Veterinary Dentistry: A Team Approach (2nd ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/978-1-4557-0322-7

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https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?pId=11372&meta=Generic&id=5709744#:~:text=0%20%...,2%2F3%20buccal%20tooth%20surface%20with%20minimal%20subgingival%20deposit

Site accessed 1/11/2023

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