Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) Index Scores Predict Periodontal Diagnosis

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the probability of periodontal disease diagnosis given the highest Periodontal Screening and Recording Index (PSR) encountered during a screening exam. Diagnostic characteristics of the PSR in a large number of adults attending a dental school clinic were determined. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study of 2299 adult patients attending a dental school clinic, PSR scores were correlated to periodontal diagnoses based on attachment levels, and sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of the PSR were determined. Results: The highest PSR score correlated well with eventual periodontal diagnosis and PSR scores display high specificity in regards to periodontal diagnosis. Patients with PSR scores of zero are most likely periodontally healthy with no history of attachment loss (in 93% of cases); PSR scores less than 3 most likely indicate plaque-induced gingivitis (79% of cases), and a PSR score of 4 usually indicates chronic periodontitis (81% of cases). Conclusions: Although not intended for diagnosis, PSR scores can be used to predict periodontal diagnosis. This also applies to CPITN scores as the scoring system is the same, and known diagnostic characteristics of the CPITN are similar to the diagnostic characteristics of the PSR observed in this study.