DR. WALKER'S EXAMINATION

CLASSIFICATION

ALFRED \VALKER, D.D.S., NEW YORK, N. Y.

Type 1. (Minimum requirements for a complete examination.)Good light is essential, either daylight or artificial light.Food debris and all kinds of deposits shall have been removed from the ex­

posed surfaces of the teeth.Tooth surfaces must be dry when subjected to examination. Compressed

air should be used and dryness maintained by use of cotton, napkins or rubberdam.

Direct magnification should be employed by the use of Beebe binocular­loupe.

Suitably designed explorers should be used, having points not coarser than36-gage B & S standard, i. e., must definitely catch in gage 36 Brown & Sharpestandard wire gage or its equivalent.

X-ray pictures should be taken for the detection of interproximal caries inall cases where interproximal surfaces are not plainly visible.

Type 2. Good light is essential, either daylight or artificial.Food debris and all kinds of deposits shall have been removed from the

exposed surfaces of the teeth.Tooth surfaces must be dry when subjected to examination. Dryness may

be secured and maintained by compressed air, napkins or cotton.Magnification.Explorers must conform with the requirements in Type 1.Type 3. Good light is essential, either daylight or artificial.Any or all of the following : Mouth mirror (free of blemishes on surface or

mirror backing) ; tongue depressor; explorers which mayor may not conformwith the requirements of explorers in. Types 1 and 2.

Type 1 outlines the minimum requirements for complete examination for thedetection of caries.

Type 2 is an attempt to outline the minimum requirements for groups in theschool or clinic where, because of lack of facilities or time, it is not possible tomake the complete examination as provided for in Type 1 but where the servicesof the dental hygienist are available.

The Type 3 examination provides for the procedure where large groups areexamined and where for lack of time and facilities the examination must of neces­sity be incomplete.

When reports are submitted for publication, they should state whether theresults are based on Type 1, 2 or 3 examination.

This outline for mouth examination for the detection of dental caries isbased on present knowledge. Contemporary and future investigations may sug­gest changes.

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