New "in Vitro" Diagnostic Test for Oral Malodour

This study will assess the ability of a first prototype (strip) of a new chair side test to detect oral malodour. The strip is based on a new enzymatic reaction able to detect amines in saliva. Previous studies already showed significant correlations between oral malodor and the levels of amines in saliva. The limitation in their use as markers of oral malodour is the fact that the detection is usually carried out by complex techniques (High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC)and Solid-Phase Micro Extraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS)). The results of the new enzymatic reaction can be evaluated by means of a colorimetric scale without necessity of extra apparatus. The study will be carried out with volunteers recruited at a multidisciplinary consultation for bad breath, organized at the University Hospital Leuven, Belgium. The paper strip will be used before the routine evaluation (organoleptic score (OS), the gold standard method for the diagnosis of halitosis and the level of volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), the most used adjunct tool to diagnose halitosis). The results of the new chair side test (strip) will be correlated with the OS and VSC measurements (OralChroma™, Halimeter®). The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predicted values of the new chair side test will be calculated. The cut-off values for a yes/no test will be determined. The meaning of color scores will be analyzed to assign a meaningful outcome to each score with relation to odor intensity.