How should missing teeth in PSR sextants be handled?

How should missing teeth in PSR sextants be handled?

• A. If a sextant has no teeth, that sextant is coded as Code 0.
• B. If a sextant has no teeth, that sextant is coded as Code 4.
• C. If a sextant has no teeth, that sextant is coded as Code 2.
• D. If a sextant has no teeth, that sextant is not coded; proceed with the remaining sextants.

Answer: (D)

In PSR, you assign a code only to sextants that actually have teeth to assess. If a sextant has no teeth, there’s nothing to probe or measure, so you can’t determine a periodontal status code for it. The correct approach is to leave that sextant uncoded and proceed to evaluate the remaining sextants with teeth. This prevents implying a periodontal condition for a space where there are no teeth to assess. The codes used when teeth are present describe pockets, calculus, or other findings, so they wouldn’t apply to an empty sextant. By not coding it and continuing with the rest, you accurately document the patient’s periodontal status based on where an assessment is possible.

In PSR, you assign a code only to sextants that actually have teeth to assess. If a sextant has no teeth, there’s nothing to probe or measure, so you can’t determine a periodontal status code for it. The correct approach is to leave that sextant uncoded and proceed to evaluate the remaining sextants with teeth. This prevents implying a periodontal condition for a space where there are no teeth to assess. The codes used when teeth are present describe pockets, calculus, or other findings, so they wouldn’t apply to an empty sextant. By not coding it and continuing with the rest, you accurately document the patient’s periodontal status based on where an assessment is possible.