Evaluation of different methods for saliva collection in young children

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: aimed to compare three saliva collection methods in terms of their acceptability by young children, the salivary samples were submitted to total protein concentration measurement and a SDS-Page gel electrophoresis. METHODS: The study was composed of 34 healthy children with complete primary dentition. They were selected from those who presented themselves for dental treatment at the Dental School of a public university in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Anamnesis was performed, followed by the saliva collection and intra-oral examination for the evaluation of dmf-t index (WHO). After all the salivary collection methods were performed, children were asked about which method of collection they would prefer. RESULTS: When asked about the preferred method of saliva collection, 50% of children answered that they prefer to spit into a tube, while 37.5% had chosen using Salivette® collection device and 12.5% had opted by using the pipette. CONCLUSION: The collection by spitting saliva into a tube can be recommend for saliva collection in young children once the method is well accept by them and it is not necessary additional cost.