Correlations between two different methods to score bleeding and the relationship with plaque in systemically healthy...

To evaluate the correlation between bleeding on marginal probing (BOMP) and bleeding on pocket probing (BOPP), and the correlation of both bleeding indices with plaque.

This cross-sectional study screened 336 participants, from which 268 were eligible for examination and analysis. Bleeding and plaque indices were assessed by single examiners, at six sites per tooth.

The mean percentage of sites per individual with bleeding on marginal probing, bleeding on pocket probing and dental plaque were 19.9%, 51.2% and 32.2% respectively. In the quadrants where the margin was probed before the pocket, a 4.6 percentage points higher bleeding tendency with BOPP was observed (p < 0.05). At a site level, the correlation coefficients of plaque and bleeding on marginal probing and bleeding on pocket probing were 0.19 and 0.20 respectively. Both bleeding indices were also shown to be correlated (r = 0.89, fixed effect model).

The prevalence of bleeding upon probing is influenced by the scoring method that is used for the diagnosis. Probing the bottom of the pocket results in significantly more bleeding than running a probe along the margin.