ADEX Periodontal Assessment OSCE – Probing, Charting & Diagnosis Guide

1. What the periodontal OSCE really checks

The ADEX periodontal station does not expect you to perform surgery. It checks if you can gather basic periodontal data correctly and turn it into a simple, logical diagnosis and plan.

Examiners look for gentle probing, complete charting, a defensible diagnosis, and a realistic first treatment step.

2. Probing technique the ADEX way

Use a standard periodontal probe (such as UNC-15) and keep the probe as parallel as possible to the long axis of the tooth. Insert slowly into the sulcus and walk the probe around the tooth.

• Use light pressure – the probe should bend slightly but not blanch tissue.
• Slide gently to the base of the pocket without stabbing.
• Record the deepest reading at each site, not an average.
• Be consistent across all teeth – random numbers suggest poor technique.

Skipping a site or guessing values is a common fail point in periodontal assessment stations.

3. Clinical findings you must recognise

A typical ADEX-style periodontal scenario will give you some or all of the following:

• Pocket depths – normal (1–3 mm) or deep (4 mm or more).
• Bleeding on probing – localised or generalised.
• Gingival recession and visible root surfaces.
• Clinical attachment loss (CAL) from pocket depth plus recession.
• Mobility – grade I–III.
• Furcation involvement on molars.

Examiners expect you to use these findings to support your diagnosis, not just list them.

4. Converting findings into a diagnosis

ADEX follows current periodontal classification ideas. For OSCE purposes, keep the pattern simple and clear:

• Healthy: 1–3 mm pockets, no BOP, no CAL.
• Gingivitis: 1–3 mm pockets, BOP present, no CAL.
• Early periodontitis: some CAL (1–2 mm), pockets around 4 mm, limited bone loss.
• Moderate periodontitis: more CAL (3–4 mm), deeper pockets, more generalised involvement.
• Severe periodontitis: CAL ≥5 mm, deep pockets, furcations, and mobility.

Your diagnosis should match the depth and distribution of the pockets and attachment loss described in the case.

5. First-step treatment sequence ADEX likes

The OSCE is testing if you know the correct order of treatment, not advanced periodontal surgery details.

• Start with patient education and oral hygiene instruction.
• Perform scaling and root planing to control inflammation.
• Address local factors (plaque retention, overhangs).
• Re-evaluate after healing, usually 4–8 weeks.

Only after disease control and re-evaluation should you consider surgery or complex restorative work.

6. Common exam traps to avoid

• Using too much probing force and recording exaggerated depths.
• Failing to record all six sites around a tooth.
• Calling clear periodontitis “gingivitis” despite CAL and deep pockets.
• Jumping straight to surgery or implants without non-surgical therapy.
• Ignoring the need for a re-evaluation phase.

In most questions, the safest, most conservative and evidence-based answer scores highest.

7. Fast memory points the day before the exam

• Gentle probing, six sites per tooth, record the deepest reading.
• Use pocket depth, CAL, and BOP to build your diagnosis.
• First treatment step is almost always non-surgical therapy.
• Always mention re-evaluation after initial therapy.
• Choose conservative, defendable answers if you are unsure.

How DentAIstudy can help

DentAIstudy’s Study builder can generate:

• Periodontal OSCE-style scenarios for quick practice.
• Short notes on probing, charting, and diagnosis patterns.
• Flashcards on periodontal staging and common exam traps.
• Checklists for non-surgical therapy and re-evaluation steps.

Try Study Builder →

References

• CDCA-WREB-CITA. ADEX Dental Examination Candidate Manual, Periodontal Assessment Section.
• 2018 AAP Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases.
• Standard periodontal probing and charting guidelines used in clinical practice.