Clinical Assessment Periodontitis Index

As outlined in the previous paper by the same authors, periodontitis is a highly prevalent pathology in the equine species. Although very frequently encountered; a good diagnosis, treatment plan and follow-up remains a challenge. Until today, we lack a clinically applicable grading or scoring system to record periodontal disease in detail in the horse.
In the previous paper we suggested a new grading system for periodontitis, with its limitations and restrictions. In this presentation we will critically appraise the proposed grading system.
A useful recording system requires validity, reliability, clarity, simplicity, objectivity, quantifiability, sensitivity and acceptability by both the examiner and the patient (Beltran-Aguilar et al., 2012). We will present our findings in relation to these criteria.
The new Index has been clinically implemented by the authors, but is lacking a clinical assessment by a larger group of veterinarians with a high level of experience in equine dentistry. During this presentation we would like to present a series of endoscopic videos of different grades of periodontal disease. The audience will have the possibility to grade the periodontitis within a defined timeframe and register their findings digitally (smartphone). The results will be presented at the end of the presentation and may serve to evaluate the clinical applicability of the grading system.