Which method is primarily used to evaluate and record periodontal health?

The method primarily used to evaluate and record periodontal health is periodontal screening and recording (PSR). This technique allows dental professionals to quickly assess the periodontal status of patients and identify areas that may require further attention. PSR utilizes a specially designed probe to measure pocket depth, bleeding on probing, and other key indicators of periodontal health, providing a straightforward and effective means to categorize the periodontal condition.

While dental radiography is critical for visualizing the underlying bone and detecting issues such as bone loss, it does not directly measure the health of the gums or periodontium in the same comprehensive manner as PSR. Clinical examination, on the other hand, involves a broader inspection that spans various aspects of oral health but may not systematically categorize periodontal status as effectively. Lastly, obtaining a patient history is an essential part of the dental assessment process, as it provides insight into the patient's overall health and potential risk factors, but it does not serve as a direct method for evaluating periodontal health.

Thus, the PSR system is specifically designed to provide a snapshot of a patient's periodontal health, making it the most appropriate choice for this evaluation.