PSR Code 1 is characterized by which combination?

• A. Bleeding present, no calculus, PD below black band <3.5mm
• B. Bleeding present, calculus present, PD below black band <3.5mm
• C. No bleeding, calculus present, PD above black band >3.5mm
• D. Bleeding absent, calculus absent, PD below black band <3.5mm

Answer: (A)

Understanding PSR coding, the key idea is that a sextant is scored based on gingival bleeding on probing, presence of calculus or defective margins, and the probing depth relative to the 3.5 mm threshold marked by the black band.

The described combination—bleeding on probing, no calculus or defective margins, and probing depth less than 3.5 mm (below the black band)—matches the code for a PSR assessment where inflammation is present but pockets are shallow and there are no calculus deposits. Bleeding shows gingival inflammation, while the absence of calculus or defective margins means there are no local contributing factors detected in that sextant, and the shallow depth (<3.5 mm) confirms there are no deeper pockets.

If calculus were present, or if the depth guidelines changed (for example, depths in the 3.5–5.5 mm range), that would place the sextant in a different PSR category. Similarly, if there were no bleeding, the score would be a different code.