title: Diagnostic applications of saliva in dentistry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of saliva to identify individuals with disease and to follow the progress of the affected individual has attracted the attention of numerous investigators. Its noninvasive method of collection, simplicity, and cost effectiveness make it a useful tool not only to the general practitioner but also to the pediatric dentist.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper is to provide the clinician with a comprehensive review of the diagnostic uses of saliva in dentistry.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere 577004, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Prabhakar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ar
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital Davangere-577004, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Akanksha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere 577004, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere-577004 Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sugandhan
keywords: Saliva diagnosis; caries; caries activity tests.