Page 52 - Q BULLETIN, Ministry of Health Malaysia, VOLUME 1, NO. 31 (SUPPLEMENT 1), JAN-DEC 2022

Q Bulletin, Volume 1, No. 31 (Supplement 1), Jan - Dec 2022
th
11 National QA Convention, 4 – 6 October 2022
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Increasing the Percentage of Basic Periodontal Examination among Adult Outpatients
in Klinik Pergigian Batu Pahat

Sarah AR , Nur Aliah Afifah I , Nabilah AS , Ungku Farah Wahidah UI , Huey Shiuan T 2
2
2
1
2
1 Pejabat Pergigian Batu Pahat, Johor
2 Klinik Pergigian Batu Pahat, Batu Pahat, Johor
SELECTION OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT:
Basic Periodontal Examination (BPE) has been recommended in primary healthcare since 2018. However,
only 1.73% of patients received BPE screening in January-June 2019 in Klinik Pergigian Batu Pahat (KPBP),
which may cause an increase in the number of patients with periodontal problems without intervention.

KEY MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT:
The indicator was the percentage of new adult outpatients receiving BPE in KPBP. The standard was set at
30%.

PROCESS OF GATHERING INFORMATION:
This study was conducted from July 2019-December 2021. A self-administered questionnaire on BPE
knowledge and observation of procedural conduct were assessed among 68 dental officers in KPBP. The
percentage of BPE performed was obtained from the patient log.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:
Despite adequate BPE knowledge, suitable pressure (35.3%) and the required teeth for examination (36.8%),
questions were the most incorrectly answered. The main reasons for poor BPE practice were time limitation
for BPE (50%) and chairside counselling (86.8%), increased workload (44.1%) and difficulty in establishing a
routine (41.2%). Most respondents took >2 minutes to perform BPE (58.8%) and oral health education (OHE)
(88.2%).

STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE:
The first phase of intervention includes the BPE Procedure Workshop to improve officers’ knowledge, the
introduction of the BPE wheel guide and the Gum Care Alert Centre (GCAC) for OHE. A BPE card was
attached to the treatment card to familiarise the staff with BPE practice. In the second phase, guidelines for
GCAC and designated scaling room were provided. A memo letter was introduced in the third phase to improve
referral to GCAC.

EFFECT OF CHANGE:
The percentage of BPE screening increased to 14.19% (July-December 2019) and 26.04% (January-December
2020) following the first and second phase intervention. The pre-set standard was successfully exceeded, with
52.57% BPE performed in December 2021, following the third phase intervention.

THE NEXT STEP:
We plan to continue BPE performance monitoring regularly and replicate our strategies at the state level to
ensure effective BPE practice in all primary healthcare.

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