ST_Tell_Me_More.gif

Saliva Testing: Fast, Easy, Painless!

Saliva Testing is Customer Friendly. It takes only two minutes to collect, and can be collected while signing the application. Saliva testing is convenient for the applicant, And because there are no needles or finger pricks, saliva collections are non-invasive and painless.

Best of all, since you can collect the sample during the application process, there are no paramedical visits to schedule and no delay in getting the sample to the laboratory for testing. That means faster turn-around on the underwriting process, and faster policy issues.

An Oral Collection device from OraSure.

Frequently Asked Questions

	What is on the pad? (Why is it so salty?) The pad is treated with a salt solution to enhance collection.
	Is the pad safe to put in my mouth? Yes, all ingredients on the pad are on the FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list.
	I have a cold, the flu, dentures, false teeth, no teeth, etc. Can I still use this device? Yes, studies show that a cold or the flu have no effect on the ability of the device to collect a proper sample. Also, no teeth or false teeth will not affect the function of the device.
	I just had (coffee, water, gum, candy, a cigarette). Will that be a problem? Wait for a period of 5 minutes after drinking, eating or smoking before collection. Do not have anything in your mouth during collection.
	What is the blue liquid in the vial? The blue liquid is a non-toxic preservative that keeps the oral fluid sample from deteriorating.
	Will recent oral surgery (root canals, extraction's, etc.) or sutures make a difference? Neither will affect the collection. However, if sutures are located between the lower cheek and gum, it is better to have the applicant collect on the other side of their mouth or to wait until the sutures are removed so you do not disturb the healing process.

ST_Oral_Fluids_Header.gif

OraSure was developed for the purpose of collecting, preserving, and transporting oral specimens.

Saliva is a complex mixture of parotid, submandibular, sublingual and minor salivary gland secretions mixed with mucin, bacteria, leukocytes, sloughed epithelial cells, gingival crevicular fluid, and mucosal transudate. Mucosal transudate is the fluid derived from the passive transport of serum components through the oral mucosa into the mouth.

The OraSure collection device consists of a treated, absorbent cotton fiber pad affixed to a nylon stick (Collection Pad) and a preservative soultion in a plastic container (Specimen Vial). The Collection Pad, impregnated with a mixture of common salts and gelatin, creates a hypertonic environment that produces an osmotic gradient across the buccal and gingival mucosae. The pad is placed in contact with the gingival mucosa (between the lower gum and cheek) which enhances the flow of mucosal transudate onto the absorptive cotton fibers of the pad. Following collection of the oral specimen, the Collection Pad is removed from the mouth and is placed into the Specimen Vial. The specimen Vial contains a preservative solution that inhibits the growth of oral microorganisms recovered on the Collection Pad. The vial is sealed with a plastic cap and transported to a laboratory for processing and testing.