Which stroke is commonly used to locate calculus deposits?

The assessment stroke is used to locate calculus deposits because it involves light, exploratory movements of the instrument across the tooth surface. This gentle technique allows dental hygienists to feel for any irregularities, such as calculus, plaque, or the tooth's surface texture. By using an assessment stroke, hygienists can detect areas where calculus may be present, which is essential for effective planning of the cleaning and removal process.

In contrast, the root debridement stroke is more focused on the removal of calculus and other deposits from the tooth root surface. The calculus removal stroke is employed once calculus has been identified and needs to be removed through more aggressive scraping motions. The activation stroke refers to the motion or action involved in using ultrasonic instruments or other devices, but it does not specifically relate to identifying the presence of calculus. Each type of stroke serves its purpose in the dental hygiene process, but the assessment stroke is distinctly designed for the purpose of locating deposits.