A periodontal code 1 indicates which finding during an oral health assessment?

A periodontal code 1 indicates the presence of bleeding on probing during an oral health assessment. This finding suggests that there is inflammation in the sulcus around the teeth, indicating early signs of periodontal disease. When probing the gums, if bleeding occurs, it typically means that the gingival tissue is not healthy, reflecting a response to bacterial plaque accumulation and possible gingivitis.

Understanding this code is crucial in periodontal evaluations, as it helps dental professionals assess the health of a patient's gums and plan appropriate treatment. Bleeding on probing serves as an early indicator for the necessity of improving oral hygiene practices and could prompt further investigation or intervention to prevent the progression into more severe forms of periodontal disease.

The other options do not represent what a code 1 indicates specifically, as they relate to different conditions or findings in periodontal health that would be documented under different periodontal codes. For instance, furcation involvement, plaque retention factors, and tooth mobility signify varying stages and types of periodontal issues, but the presence of bleeding is the main concern denoted by code 1.