Ability of examiners to estimate the pain experienced by patients from probing during initial periodontal examination.

Background: The aims of the present study were to identify the level of pain experienced by patients from probing during periodontal examination, and to determine to what extent the examining periodontist and the dental assistant could estimate the degree of pain experienced by the patients.

Methods: For each of three periodontists, 20 patients referred for periodontal diagnosis and treatment were selected. The periodontist carried out his examination, which included probing at six sites per tooth.