Periodontal Probes In The United States
Written by the Equate Instruments Technical Team · Reviewed by the Medical & Dental Board, Equate Instruments · Published ·
Clinics and distributors in the United States can buy periodontal probes directly from Equate, which lists 90 references. In 2019, an estimated 15.7% of people aged 15 and over in the United States had severe periodontal disease (WHO).
Key points
- The ADA reports 222,740 dental hygienists and 387,790 dental assistants in the United States, citing US Bureau of Labor Statistics data (ADA Health Policy Institute).
Dentists in the United States at a glance
- Dentists in the US (ADA HPI supply series): 163,409 (2001) to 202,485 (2024)
- +23.9% since 2001
- Dentists in the US (ADA HPI supply series): 163,409 (2001) to 202,485 (2024)
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2024
- In 2025, the United States had 205,088 professionally active dentists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 205,088
- In 2025, the United States had 205,088 professionally active dentists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- In 2025, the United States had 60.0 dentists per 100,000 people, with ratios varying by state (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 60
- In 2025, the United States had 60.0 dentists per 100,000 people, with ratios varying by state (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- In 2025, 39.4% of US dentists were women and 21.2% were specialists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- 39.4
- In 2025, 39.4% of US dentists were women and 21.2% were specialists (ADA Health Policy Institute).
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute, 2025
- dental schools listed
- 15
- dental schools listed
- Equate research
- Untreated caries, age 5+24.3%
- Severe periodontal disease, 15+15.7%
- No natural teeth, 20+10.2%
The dark line marks the median of Equate's 22 markets. Source: WHO Oral Health Country Profiles 2022 (2019 estimates).
Which types of periodontal probes do clinics in the United States stock?
- CP-12 and CP-11
- WHO CPI probe
- Nabers furcation probe
How are periodontal probes regulated in the United States?
In the United States, dental devices are classified under 21 CFR Part 872, the FDA's Dental panel (FDA).
Where do dental students in the United States learn to use periodontal probes?
Periodontal probes are part of clinical training at the United States's 15 dental schools, including Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and New York University College of Dentistry.
Popular Equate periodontal probes for the United States
All products
periodontal probes
WHO CPI Periodontal Probe with Ball Tip - 6 mm Solid Handle
EI-0183
periodontal probes
Expro 9 Explorer and CP-18 Probe Combination - 6 mm Solid Handle
EI-0205
periodontal probes
Probe CP-2 and Explorer #6 - Double-Ended Diagnostic Instrument
EI-0206
periodontal probes
UNC Periodontal Probe CP 15 - Hollow Handle
EI-0040
periodontal probes
Periodontal Probe CP12/#23 - Solid Knurled Handle
EI-0081
What do dentists in the United States search for when buying periodontal probes?
In North America, periodontal probes draw about 34,650 searches a month (Google Keyword Planner bands, October 2025 to September 2026). The most searched terms are "dental perio probe", "dental probe", "perio probe" and "perio probe dental".
Which periodontal probes does Equate supply to the United States?
How should periodontal probes be cleaned and sterilised in the United States?
In the United States, the CDC's Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, published in 2003, cover sterilization and disinfection of patient-care items, among other areas (CDC MMWR).
In 2019, total US expenditure on outpatient dental care was an estimated US$133,506 million, or US$405 per person (WHO).
What shapes demand for periodontal probes in the United States?
The ADA reports 222,740 dental hygienists and 387,790 dental assistants in the United States, citing US Bureau of Labor Statistics data (ADA Health Policy Institute).
Why do dentists in the United States need periodontal probes?
A periodontal probe is a slim, blunt-ended hand instrument with millimetre markings, used to measure the depth of the pocket between gum and tooth. See the full guide to periodontal Probes.
Why do practices in the United States buy periodontal probes from Equate?
- Direct from the manufacturer: practices in the United States order 90 periodontal probes references without a distributor mark-up in between.
- Built to one specification across the range: passivated stainless steel, ultrasonically cleaned, shape-, boil- and performance-tested and individually packed.
Equate data
The Equate periodontal probes range for the United States
Catalogue explorer: 90 references
| Pattern | References | Figures | Handles | Coatings | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color-Coded Probes | 22 | — | hollow, knurled, silicone, solid | titanium-coated | EI-0039EI-0081 |
| Williams Probes | 14 | Fig. 17, Fig. 3, Fig. 16 | hollow, knurled, silicone, solid | — | EI-0112EI-0113 |
| WHO CPI Probes | 10 | — | hollow, silicone, solid | — | EI-0038EI-0115 |
| UNC Probes | 2 | — | hollow, silicone | — | EI-0040EI-1020 |
| Nabers Furcation Probes | 7 | — | hollow, slim, solid | — | EI-0131EI-0882 |
| Explorer-Probe Combinations | 32 | — | hollow, silicone, slim, solid | — | EI-0045EI-0046 |
| ExPro Probes | 3 | — | silicone, solid | — | EI-0024EI-0884 |
Starter kit for a new practice in the United States
- UNC-15 probe:UNC Periodontal Probe CP 15 - Hollow HandleEI-0040
- WHO probe:WHO CPI Probe CP 11.5 Ball-End - Hollow HandleEI-0038
- Furcation probe:Nabers Furcation Probe - Solid Handle 6mmEI-0131
What buyers search for
About 34,650 searches a month across 64 related terms.
- dental perio probe5,000
- dental probe5,000
- perio probe5,000
- perio probe dental5,000
- periodontal probe5,000
- dental explorer and probe500
Your Regional Executive · North America
Ahmed Kamal
Regional Executive, Long Island, NY
Frequently asked questions
Can clinics in the United States buy periodontal probes directly from Equate?
Yes. Equate sells directly to clinics, dental groups and distributors in the United States. The Regional Executive for North America handles quotes, samples and volume pricing.
References
- World Health Organization (2019)
- US Food and Drug Administration (2026)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003)
- American Dental Association Health Policy Institute (2026)
- World Health Organization. Oral Health Surveys: Basic Methods, 5th edition. WHO, 2013 (the CPI probe)
- Ainamo J, Barmes D, Beagrie G, Cutress T, Martin J, Sardo-Infirri J. Development of the World Health Organization (WHO) Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). International Dental Journal 1982;32(3):281–291
- Caton JG, Armitage G, Berglundh T, et al. A new classification scheme for periodontal and peri-implant diseases and conditions. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2018;45(Suppl 20):S1–S8
I am a… in the United States
