The efficacy of a calculus scaling gel, SofScale (Dentsply, York, PA), has been examined in two protocols by the measurement of scaling forces developed in supragingival calculus debridement from the anterior dentition using hand scaling with a transducer-modified dental scaler, the Quanticalc. In one protocol, the effects of the scaling gel were compared to a placebo gel composed of conventional toothpaste in a double-blind, split-mouth design. In another protocol, the effects of the scaling gel were determined in comparison to non-treated calculus. Results demonstrated that the scaling gel had no apparent effects on the physical forces (work) involved in calculus removal. These results suggest that the application of the scaling gel provides no quantitative benefits in facilitating calculus debridement during manual tooth scaling.