Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) In 1974, Carter and Barnes introduced a Gingival Bleeding Index, which records the presence or absence of gingival inflammation after passing unwaxed dental floss into the proximal sulci. It is readily available, disposable, and can be used by the instructed patient for self-evaluation. The mouth is divided into six segments and flossed in the following order; upper right, upper anterior, upper left, lower left, lower anterior and lower right. Bleeding is generally immediately evident in the area or on the floss; however, thirty seconds is allowed for reinspection of each segment. If copious hemorrhage occurs the patient may be allowed to rinse in between segments. Bleeding is recorded as present or absent. For each patient a Gingival Bleeding Score is obtained by noting the total units of bleeding and the total susceptible areas at risk