Documentation exists that mothers can pass the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans to their infants. The newest technology to identify Streptococcus mutans is a rapid detection saliva test. Two hundred patients above the age of 18 were targeted using random selection in a Louisville, Kentucky dental office. Patients signed an informed consent form and were given a qualifying questionnaire. Patients received 2 bitewing x-rays and a charted DMFT index and were administered the saliva test. While the null hypothesis was rejected using the chi square test, the results were inconclusive due to expected values. However, other chi square results revealed that the test worked or had the potential to work. Furthermore, it was concluded that the test had high specificity. Further research is warranted; however, the saliva test in combination with the DMFT and x-rays are instrumental tools for the dental professional in educating patients and prevention.
","abstract_html":"<p>Documentation exists that mothers can pass the cariogenic bacteria <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> to their infants. The newest technology to identify <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> is a rapid detection saliva test. Two hundred patients above the age of 18 were targeted using random selection in a Louisville, Kentucky dental office. Patients signed an informed consent form and were given a qualifying questionnaire. Patients received 2 bitewing x-rays and a charted DMFT index and were administered the saliva test. While the null hypothesis was rejected using the chi square test, the results were inconclusive due to expected values. However, other chi square results revealed that the test worked or had the potential to work. Furthermore, it was concluded that the test had high specificity. Further research is warranted; however, the saliva test in combination with the DMFT and x-rays are instrumental tools for the dental professional in educating patients and prevention.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Holtman, Catherine E."],"institution":null,"degree_name":"MSAH (Master of Science in Allied Health)","degree_level":"Thesis - unrestricted","degree_discipline":"Allied Health","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2012,"date_issued":"2012-08-15T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2012-08-15T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:20:31Z","subjects":["saliva","rapid detection","Streptococcus mutans","caries","specificity","Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment","Diagnosis","Medicine and Health Sciences"],"languages":[],"rights":["Copyright by the authors."],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1460","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Holtman, Catherine E."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2012-08-15T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Allied Health"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis - unrestricted"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["MSAH (Master of Science in Allied Health)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["saliva","rapid detection","Streptococcus mutans","caries","specificity","Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment","Diagnosis","Medicine and Health Sciences"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["Copyright by the authors."]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://dc.etsu.edu/context/etd/article/2653/viewcontent/HoltmanC070812f.pdf","https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1460"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Documentation exists that mothers can pass the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans to their infants. The newest technology to identify Streptococcus mutans is a rapid detection saliva test. Two hundred patients above the age of 18 were targeted using random selection in a Louisville, Kentucky dental office. Patients signed an informed consent form and were given a qualifying questionnaire. Patients received 2 bitewing x-rays and a charted DMFT index and were administered the saliva test. While the null hypothesis was rejected using the chi square test, the results were inconclusive due to expected values. However, other chi square results revealed that the test worked or had the potential to work. Furthermore, it was concluded that the test had high specificity. Further research is warranted; however, the saliva test in combination with the DMFT and x-rays are instrumental tools for the dental professional in educating patients and prevention.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Rapid Detection of Streptococcus mutans in Saliva"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:creator":["Holtman, Catherine E."],"dc:date.issued":["2012-08-15T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["Documentation exists that mothers can pass the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans to their infants. The newest technology to identify Streptococcus mutans is a rapid detection saliva test. Two hundred patients above the age of 18 were targeted using random selection in a Louisville, Kentucky dental office. Patients signed an informed consent form and were given a qualifying questionnaire. Patients received 2 bitewing x-rays and a charted DMFT index and were administered the saliva test. While the null hypothesis was rejected using the chi square test, the results were inconclusive due to expected values. However, other chi square results revealed that the test worked or had the potential to work. Furthermore, it was concluded that the test had high specificity. Further research is warranted; however, the saliva test in combination with the DMFT and x-rays are instrumental tools for the dental professional in educating patients and prevention.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://dc.etsu.edu/context/etd/article/2653/viewcontent/HoltmanC070812f.pdf","https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1460"],"dc:rights":["Copyright by the authors."],"dc:subject":["saliva","rapid detection","Streptococcus mutans","caries","specificity","Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment","Diagnosis","Medicine and Health Sciences"],"dc:title":["Rapid Detection of Streptococcus mutans in Saliva"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Allied Health"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis - unrestricted"],"thesis:degree_name":["MSAH (Master of Science in Allied Health)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:20:31Z"}