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Exam and prophy (cleaning) tray
Also called: basic setup, recall tray, prophy setup
The everyday hygiene setup: exam instruments, scalers and polishing.
This tray is used for check-ups and routine cleanings. It starts with the basic setup (mirror, explorer, cotton pliers, probe), adds scalers and curettes for tartar, and ends with polishing and floss. Every office's tray list is a little different; this is a common example. Follow your office's tray card.
How to spot it
- Mirror, explorer and probe on the far left; polishing items on the right.
On the tray, in order
- 1. Mouth mirror
- 2. Explorer (#23 or ODU 11/12)
- 3. Cotton pliers
- 4. Periodontal probe
- 5. Sickle scaler(s)
- 6. Universal curette and/or Graceys
- 7. Prophy angle with cup, and prophy paste
- 8. Floss, gauze, saliva ejector, HVE tip and air-water syringe tip (disposables)
Safety and care
- Instruments come out of a sealed, sterilized pouch or cassette; open it in front of the patient when possible.
- Throw away single-use items (prophy angle, saliva ejector, tips) after the visit.
Related
Sources: Alharbi H. Periodontal Hand Instruments (lecture handout). King Saud University, 2016-2017, Boyd LD, Mallonee LF, Wyche CJ. Wilkins' Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist, 14th ed. Jones & Bartlett, 2024, Gehrig JS, Shin DE. Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation and Advanced Root Instrumentation, 9th ed. Jones & Bartlett, 2023 (plus Newman & Carranza's Clinical Periodontology), CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17)