Overview
EN ISO 13397-2:2005/A1:2012 is a CEN-adopted amendment to the international standard for dental instruments titled Dentistry - Periodontal curettes, dental scalers and excavators - Part 2: Periodontal curettes of Gr‑type. Amendment A1 (2012) adds guidance on colour coding for a reduced set of Gr‑type periodontal curettes to improve instrument identification and clinical workflow. The amendment was prepared by ISO/TC 106 (Dentistry) and approved by CEN in 2012.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applies specifically to Gr‑type periodontal curettes within the ISO 13397‑2 framework.
- Colour coding guidance: Provides a recommended colour scheme (manufacturer’s discretion) for a reduced set of Gr‑type curettes to indicate intended tooth positions/areas.
- Suggested mapping (Table 3):
- Gr 5 & Gr 6 - Yellow: Anterior and premolar teeth
- Gr 7 & Gr 8 - Green: Molar and premolar teeth, buccal and lingual/palatal aspects
- Gr 11 & Gr 12 - Red/Orange: Molar and premolar teeth, mesial surfaces and furcations
- Gr 13 & Gr 14 - Blue: Molar and premolar teeth, distal surfaces and furcations
- Implementation note: The colour coding is advisory and left to the manufacturer’s discretion; the amendment supplements EN ISO 13397‑2:2005 rather than replacing it.
- Regulatory/administrative: The amendment was to be adopted into national standards by April 2013 across CEN member countries; users should be aware of possible patent rights related to instrument designs.
Practical applications and users
- Dental instrument manufacturers: Implement consistent colour marking schemes on Gr‑type curettes to align with market expectations and improve product usability.
- Dental clinics and hygienists: Use colour-coded curettes to speed instrument selection during periodontal therapy, reduce errors, and streamline tray setup.
- Dental schools and training programs: Teach students standardized instrument identification to improve ergonomics and clinical efficiency.
- Procurement and sterilization departments: Improve organization of instrument sets and tracking through standardized colour cues.
- Regulatory and standards professionals: Reference the amendment when specifying compliance requirements for dental equipment.
Related standards
- EN ISO 13397‑2:2005 (original Part 2) - base standard for Gr‑type periodontal curettes.
- ISO 13397 series and ISO/TC 106 publications (Dentistry) - for broader context on dental scalers, excavators and instrument standardization.
Keywords: periodontal curettes, Gr‑type, colour coding, EN ISO 13397‑2:2005/A1:2012, dental instruments, dentistry standard, CEN, ISO.
