FAQs

Saliva produced by all salivary glands (sublingual, submandibular, parotid, and numerous minor glands scattered in the oral cavity) is collectively termed whole saliva. Moisture available in the oral cavity is termed oral hydration. Total saliva production is indicated by FishburneTabs®OH. Regular use of the FishburneTabs®OH provides documentable evaluation of hydration change in the oral cavity to facilitate diagnosis and the monitoring of oral and systemic disease.

The Fishburne Scale of arbitrary numbers is intended as a device to show oral hydration change in time increments determined by the clinician. A reading at 3 and above can be considered a well hydrated oral cavity while reading below 1.5 can be considered a dry or drying oral cavity. However, temporary factors such as stress or cannabinoid use should be considered. Evaluation with the device is easily repeatable.

Saliva water content is reflected on the Fishburne scale when it is removed from the mouth. After 3 minutes, water in saliva plus the impact of mucins and proteinsinfluence the capillary action of the absorbent paper and a generalized totalavailable saliva reading can be taken. FishburneTabs®OH readings are always intended to be viewed in the context of the patient history.

People must lose 50% of their saliva production before they become aware of oral dryness (xerostomia). Therefore, a drying oral cavity often goes unnoticed. Meanwhile, oral health declines and systemic diseases may go undiagnosed.

Saliva production is impacted by numerous factors including such as: age, use of one or more medications that cause dry mouth, cannabinoid use, radiation and cancer therapies, sleep disturbances and temporary or continued stress. Sustained oral dryness may severely impact oral health and quality of life, and is also a symptom of autoimmune disease(s) and diabetes. Therefore, it is incumbent on the clinician to determine the cause(s) of oral cavity desiccation and advise a patient accordingly.

This quantity was favored for patient self-testing. Since saliva production changes throughout the day or under stress (as often experienced in a medical office), a clinician may request that a patient self-test twice or three times per day and then send the clinician photos of their results. 

Paper-based and incinerable, FishburneTabs®OH add no disposal cost to the clinic or the environment.  

Reimbursement through Medicare or Medical Insurers is possible for evaluation of xerostomia/dry mouth, oral cavity examinations, and determination of a drying oral cavity due to disease by certified professionals.  While seamless submissions to insurance agencies are not guaranteed, the following three-step process is provided as a method that has been successfully employed to submit claims.