Utilizing Salivary Diagnostics to Prevent Oral Disease

Abstract

Evaluation of xerostomia should be done at every appointment to assess the patient’s comfort level and implement a preventative care plan by recommending safe and effective products for each patient. By performing salivary diagnostics and using a clinical oral dryness score (CODS), dental hygienists are able to best assess a patient’s needs in order to prevent dental caries, halitosis, periodontal disease, and opportunistic infections.2 By providing an individualized care plan based on each patients’ CODS, dental hygienists can have a positive impact on their patients’ overall oral health.