How is the PSR score recorded on a patient chart?

How is the PSR score recorded on a patient chart?

• A. A single global score for the entire mouth.
• B. One code (0–4) recorded for each sextant, with a possible star to indicate additional findings.
• C. Four codes per arch.
• D. Codes are recorded only for teeth with pathology.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that PSR uses a sextant-based screening with one code per sextant. For each sextant in the mouth, you record the highest code observed (0–4) to summarize the pocket depth and related findings in that area. If there are additional noteworthy findings beyond what the numeric code conveys—such as furcation involvement, tooth mobility, recession, or other significant concerns—you add a star next to that sextant’s code. This star serves as a flag indicating that a full periodontal examination is indicated for that sextant or for the patient as a whole. This method reflects how PSR is designed: it provides a quick, per-sextant snapshot rather than a single mouthwide score, and it ensures healthy areas are still documented (no need to skip sextants with a code of zero). The other options don’t fit because a global single score doesn’t capture per-sextant variation, there aren’t just four codes per arch to cover six sextants, and you don’t record codes only for teeth with pathology—sextants with no pathology still get a code of 0.

The main idea is that PSR uses a sextant-based screening with one code per sextant. For each sextant in the mouth, you record the highest code observed (0–4) to summarize the pocket depth and related findings in that area. If there are additional noteworthy findings beyond what the numeric code conveys—such as furcation involvement, tooth mobility, recession, or other significant concerns—you add a star next to that sextant’s code. This star serves as a flag indicating that a full periodontal examination is indicated for that sextant or for the patient as a whole.

This method reflects how PSR is designed: it provides a quick, per-sextant snapshot rather than a single mouthwide score, and it ensures healthy areas are still documented (no need to skip sextants with a code of zero). The other options don’t fit because a global single score doesn’t capture per-sextant variation, there aren’t just four codes per arch to cover six sextants, and you don’t record codes only for teeth with pathology—sextants with no pathology still get a code of 0.