Why do the assistants at the dental office call out numbers?

..when they poke at the gums?

Why do the assistants at the dental office call out numbers?
They are measuring the depth of the sulcus with a perio probe. The perio probe measures in millimeters. The sulcus normally has a depth of one to two millimeters, but in patients with early stages of periodontal disease, it will have a depth of three to five millimeters.
Reply:When you are in the dental field or for dental insurance's each tooth has a number so that it can be identified. So when the Dr. is doing the exam the assistant will call out each tooth number.
Reply:They could be calling out tooth numbers, talking about your teeth, and which teeth number they are referring to, so that they can write it in your dental records.
Reply:If they are "poking at your gums" while calling out numbers, S_Renee is probably correct. They are measuring the clinical attachment level of your gums, which is one way to diagnose gum disease.





They should really have explained that to you before they started. I'm amazed at how many questions of this nature I read here. Don't dentists talk to patients anymore?
Reply:HELLO,


EMMALUE IS CORRECT. USUALLY WHEN THE NUMBERS ARE CALLED CONSECUTIVELY ONE AFTER THE OTHER, THEN IT'S USUALLY FROM THE DENTIST TO THE ASSISTANT TO RECORD THE PROBING DEPTHS FOUND.


IF A CERTAIN NUMBER IS CALLED OUT, FOLLOWED BY A COMMENT, SUCH AS #18 WITH OCCUSAL, THIS MEANS THAT TOOTH #18 HAS OCCUSAL DECAY.


THIS IS A WAY FOR DENTAL STAFF TO QUICKLY, ACCURATELY COMMUNICATE THE CONDITION AND STATUS OF TEETH.

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