MJDF Part 1 - Membership of Joint Dental Faculties Periodontology and Gum Health Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 48-year-old patient, who smokes 15 cigarettes per day, presents for a routine examination.
The Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) reveals a highest score of 4 in one sextant.
According to the 2017 Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions as implemented by the British Society of Periodontology (BSP), what would be the most appropriate initial Grade to assign to this patient?

Accepted Answer

Grade C: Rapid rate of progression

Answer

Grade A: Slow rate of progression

Answer

Grade B: Moderate rate of progression

Answer

The Grade cannot be determined from BPE scores alone

Question 2

A dentist in the UK performs a Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) on a new adult patient. The scores recorded are 2, 1, 3, 1, 2, 1. According to the British Society of Periodontology (BSP) guidelines, what is the next most appropriate step in this patient's periodontal management?

Accepted Answer

Provide Professional Mechanical Plaque Removal (PMPR) and OHI, then reassess.

Answer

Arrange for a six-point pocket charting in all sextants.

Answer

Discharge the patient with oral hygiene instruction (OHI) only.

Answer

Immediately refer the patient to a specialist periodontist.

Question 3

Which of the following was a key change introduced in the 2017 World Workshop Classification of Periodontal Diseases, which has been adopted for use in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

The replacement of the 'chronic' and 'aggressive' periodontitis classifications with a staging and grading system.

Answer

The introduction of the Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) as a primary diagnostic tool.

Answer

The creation of a new category for 'refractory periodontitis'.

Answer

The recommendation to use antibiotics as a first-line treatment for all BPE scores of 4.

Question 4

A 29-year-old patient presents with generalised, severe gingival inflammation and reports that their gums have been getting progressively worse over the last few months. Radiographs reveal significant vertical bone loss affecting the first molars and incisors, which is inconsistent with the level of plaque deposits. The patient is otherwise medically fit and well. Under the pre-2017 classification, this might have been termed 'aggressive periodontitis'. How would this now be classified using the current Staging and Grading system in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Stage III or IV, Grade C Periodontitis

Answer

Stage I, Grade A Periodontitis

Answer

Stage II, Grade B Periodontitis

Answer

Necrotising Periodontitis

Question 5

According to the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) guidance, 'Prevention and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases in Primary Care', what is the primary goal of the initial phase of periodontal therapy?

Accepted Answer

To control the local and systemic risk factors and establish good patient self-care.

Answer

To perform definitive periodontal surgery to eliminate all pockets.

Answer

To extract all teeth with a probing depth greater than 6mm.

Answer

To prescribe a long-term course of systemic doxycycline.

Question 6

A patient has successfully undergone initial non-surgical periodontal therapy. On review, their periodontal status is defined as: Bleeding on Probing (BoP) is 8%, all probing pocket depths (PPD) are ≤4mm, and there is no bleeding on probing at any of the 4mm sites. According to the British Society of Periodontology (BSP) guidance on the outcomes of therapy, how would this patient's periodontal status be best described?

Accepted Answer

Currently Stable

Answer

Currently Unstable

Answer

Currently in Remission

Answer

Refractory Periodontitis