What is the walking stroke technique?

• A. A vertical insertion and withdrawal per tooth
• B. A circular motion around the tooth
• C. A quick brushing motion
• D. A series of bobbing strokes that are made within the sulcus or pocket while keeping the probe against and in alignment with the root surface

Answer: (D)

Probing uses a walking stroke to trace the sulcus or pocket and record depths. This technique involves a series of short, vertical (bobbing) movements with the probe tip kept in contact with the tooth and aligned with the root surface. You place the tip at the base of the pocket and gently advance apically a little at a time, then reposition to the next site along the tooth, continuing around the tooth so the entire circumference is measured. This keeps the probe consistently against the tooth, follows the root contour, and yields accurate, reproducible pocket depths.

The other options don’t fit the probing method: inserting and withdrawing vertically per tooth alone wouldn’t allow you to map all sites along the sulcus; a circular motion isn’t how probing is performed; and a quick brushing motion is for cleaning, not for probing depth measurements.