Updates

Additional Supporting Tools have been developed to support implementation of the guidance. These new tools are: 

• a BPE Screening tool that includes a set of flowcharts to help dental teams effectively plan and deliver appropriate assessment and treatment based on the patient’s BPE score
• additional advice to help dental teams effectively monitor plaque and bleeding
• a Periodontal Charting tool that includes flowcharts detailing the assessment and recording requirements for baseline and review periodontal charting 
• additional advice on recording risk factors for disease, including a template risk factor inquiry form
• a Diabetes tool that provides advice on the management of patients with diabetes and includes a template diabetes referral letter

Providing treatment as a team

Advice on the provision of local anaesthesia by dental
hygienists and dental therapists has been updated to reflect the amended Human Medicines Regulations (Schedule 17; 2024)

Engagement

The text in this section previously suggested that Step 1 of therapy is equivalent to initial periodontal treatment, which is not the case. This has been corrected.