A patient has 3 mm of localized recession on the mandibular anterior facial surfaces. There is no attachment loss elsewhere, no pocketing above 3 mm, and bleeding on probing at 15% of sites. Using the 2018 classification, how is this patient BEST described?

Correct answer: C. Localized gingivitis on an intact periodontium, with localized gingival recession

• A. ❌ Necrotizing gingivitis presents with punched-out necrotic papillae, pain, fetid odor and pseudomembrane — none described here.
• B. ❌ Clinical gingival health requires BOP below 10%. At 15% the threshold is crossed.
• C. ✅ CORRECT — The 2018 World Workshop sets the health/gingivitis line at BLEEDING ON PROBING: <10% of sites = clinical health; 10–30% = LOCALIZED gingivitis; >30% = generalized gingivitis. At 15% BOP this patient has localized gingivitis. Recession is recorded separately as a gingival/mucogingival condition (Cairo RT1 if there is no interproximal attachment loss).
• D. ❌ Periodontitis requires interproximal clinical attachment loss at two or more non-adjacent teeth (or buccal/lingual CAL ≥3 mm with pocketing >3 mm). Isolated facial recession without pocketing does not meet the definition.

Note: The 10% BOP cut-off is what decides it — 15% = gingivitis.