AF Form 935: Periodontal Diagnosis & Treatment Plan (PDF) – AF Form 935, officially titled Periodontal Diagnosis and Treatment Plan, is a specialized U.S. Air Force dental form used to document comprehensive periodontal examinations, diagnoses, and treatment plans. Released on July 1, 1981, and still referenced in current Air Force dental training materials and AFMAN 47-101 (Managing Air Force Dental Services), this form supports standardized periodontal care across Air Force dental treatment facilities (DTFs).
Air Force dental teams rely on AF Form 935 to record clinical findings from periodontal evaluations, establish diagnoses, outline treatment recommendations, and note anticipated outcomes. It forms part of the broader AF Form 935 series, which includes AF Form 935A (Periodontal Maintenance Record) and AF Form 935B (Plaque Index/Bleeding Point Record). These tools help ensure consistent documentation in both paper and electronic health record (EHR) environments, such as MHS GENESIS.
Why AF Form 935 Matters in Air Force Dentistry?
Periodontal disease affects a significant portion of the military population due to factors like stress, deployment-related oral hygiene challenges, tobacco use, and diet. Early and accurate diagnosis improves readiness, prevents tooth loss, and supports overall health.
Key purposes of AF Form 935 include:
- Documenting detailed periodontal charting (probing depths, recession, clinical attachment levels, bleeding on probing).
- Recording diagnosis, including staging and grading where applicable.
- Outlining a tailored treatment plan and maintenance recommendations.
- Providing a permanent record for the dental health record (often filed with SF 603/603A).
Dental assistants often chart the form under dentist supervision during perio evaluations. They use color-coded pencils: blue for probing depths ≤3mm and red for >3mm, with red dots for bleeding points. They also record recession or gingival margin in a second row and calculate clinical attachment levels (PD + Recession).
This form integrates with patient medical history (AF Form 696), radiographs (full-mouth series or FMXRs), and other records to support evidence-based care aligned with Air Force Medical Service Clinical Practice Guidelines.
What Information Does AF Form 935 Capture?
Although the official PDF is a one-page graphical form with tooth charts and data blocks, typical sections include:
- Patient Identification: Name, rank, SSN or DoD ID, unit, date of examination.
- Periodontal Charting: Tooth-by-tooth grids for maxillary and mandibular arches. Fields typically cover:
- Probing depths (6 sites per tooth).
- Recession or gingival margin position.
- Clinical attachment level (calculated as probing depth + recession).
- Bleeding on probing (often marked with dots or indicators).
- Mobility, furcations, or other findings.
- Diagnosis Section: Periodontal diagnosis (e.g., gingival health, gingivitis, periodontitis by stage/grade per current classifications), overall prognosis, and individual tooth prognoses.
- Treatment Plan: Recommended interventions such as scaling and root planing (non-surgical therapy), oral hygiene instructions, surgical options (if needed), or referral to periodontics.
- Maintenance Recommendations: Recall intervals, supportive periodontal therapy, and home care instructions.
- Provider Notes/Signatures: Dentist signature, date, and any additional observations.
The form uses standard dental abbreviations and symbols for efficiency. It serves as a visual and written record that complements digital entries in modern systems.
How AF Form 935 Fits into Periodontal Workflow?
- Initial Evaluation: Review medical/dental history and take radiographs if indicated.
- Clinical Charting: Perform full-mouth periodontal probing and record findings on AF Form 935 (or equivalent in EHR).
- Diagnosis: Apply current periodontal classification (e.g., 2017 World Workshop framework for staging and grading periodontitis).
- Treatment Planning: Develop a stepwise plan—starting with biofilm control, non-surgical debridement, and progressing to surgical or maintenance phases as needed.
- Documentation and Follow-Up: File the form in the dental record and schedule maintenance per AF Form 935A.
This process aligns with Air Force priorities for dental readiness and follows infection control standards (AFI 44-108 and CDC guidelines).
Download the Official AF Form 935
You can download the current version of AF Form 935 directly from the official Air Force e-Publishing site:
→ https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_sg/form/af935/af935.pdf
The form is fillable in many digital workflows and should be printed or saved as part of the official record. Always verify the latest version on e-publishing.af.mil as forms are occasionally updated.
Related Forms in the Series:
- AF Form 935A: Periodontal Maintenance Record – for ongoing tracking of maintenance visits.
- AF Form 935B: Plaque Index/Bleeding Point Record – for detailed plaque and bleeding assessments.
Best Practices for Using AF Form 935 (for Providers and Assistants)
- Use pencil for charting measurements (erasable during initial recording) and ink for final entries.
- Ensure complete, legible documentation to support continuity of care, audits, and readiness reporting.
- Integrate with electronic systems where possible while maintaining the paper form as a backup or supplemental record.
- Follow AFMAN 47-101 for overall management of dental services and record-keeping.
For Air Force dental personnel, training on the 935 series appears in Career Field Education and Training Plans (CFETP) for Dental Assistants (4Y0X1), emphasizing proper charting during perio evaluations.
Periodontal Care in the Air Force Context
Air Force dental clinics prioritize readiness while providing comprehensive care to active duty, retirees, and eligible family members. Periodontics is a key specialty service, with advanced training available through programs like the Air Force Postgraduate Dental School.
Patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease may receive non-surgical therapy first, followed by maintenance or referral. Risk factors (smoking, diabetes, poor oral hygiene) are assessed alongside clinical findings to create personalized plans.
Note: While AF Form 935 is specific to the U.S. Air Force, the principles of periodontal diagnosis and treatment follow broadly accepted standards (e.g., American Academy of Periodontology classifications). Civilian providers should use equivalent charting systems in their practice management software.
Need Help with AF Form 935?
- Active duty or beneficiaries: Contact your local Air Force dental clinic for evaluation.
- Dental assistants/providers: Refer to AFMAN 47-101, local wing instructions (e.g., 59MDWI 47-101), and QTP training modules for detailed guidance on completion.
- General questions: Visit the official e-Publishing site or consult your facility’s dental records manager.
Download Link Reminder: AF Form 935 PDF
Maintaining accurate periodontal records like those on AF Form 935 supports mission readiness and long-term oral health for the Air Force community. Proper use ensures high-quality, documented care that meets both clinical and administrative standards.