Using Saliva to Detect Disease Holds Promise, But It's Not Perfected Yet

Emerging salivary diagnostics offer promising opportunities for earlier, more accessible disease detection. Already used to identify HIV and COVID-19, saliva-based tests are being developed to detect conditions such as oral cancers, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Public health leaders note their potential to expand preventive care, reduce barriers for rural and underserved populations, and integrate screening into routine dental visits.

However, most tests lack FDA approval, and cost and insurance coverage remain significant barriers. New Medicare incentives tied to FDA-approved multicancer detection may accelerate innovation and reimbursement. Experts emphasize that while salivary testing shows promise, ensuring reliability, equity, and integration with in-person care will be critical to maximizing public health impact. Read more from NPR here.