BPE
Pronunciation: bee-pee-ee
Also written as: BPE — Basic Periodontal Examination
Abbreviation for 'Basic Periodontal Examination', a simple screening tool used to assess the periodontal health of a patient using a graded numeric scoring system.
Full Definition
The BPE is a standardised screening index endorsed by the British Society of Periodontology, in which a ball-ended periodontal probe is used to assess six sextants of the mouth. Each sextant receives a score from 0 to 4 (or an asterisk for furcation involvement), recorded on a six-cell grid in the patient's dental notes. Editors working on UK dental records should be aware that 'BPE' always appears in uppercase and its scores are recorded as single digits or symbols rather than descriptive text. The equivalent tool used in the United States context is the 'PSR' (Periodontal Screening and Recording).
Usage
Usage note: Used primarily in UK dental records. When editing US-origin documents, the equivalent is PSR. Always uppercase; scores appear as numerals (0–4) or an asterisk.
In Context
- "A BPE score of 3 in the lower right sextant indicated the need for detailed periodontal assessment." — Dental examination record
- "The practice protocol required a BPE to be recorded at every new patient examination." — Clinical governance policy document