Note we can supply you with saliva collection kits if required.

Obtaining a Saliva Sample for Cotinine Analysis.

1) Dental Roll and Tube

• Place a dental roll in the mouth and keep there approximately 2 to 10 minutes (The dental roll should not be chewed).

• Place the roll in a plastic sample tube.

• To express the sample, place the dental roll in a 10ml syringe.

• Depress the plunger down and squeeze the roll dry so that the saliva is expressed into the plastic tube.

• Screw back tightly the sample lid and send to us via the post or courier as soon as possible.

• Please note, it is not necessary for you to express the sample but it is preferable as this allows you to ensure that you have collected enough saliva (i.e. at least 0.5ml).

Equipment Needed

Sample Tube Sarstedt Part No 60.542 0116 235 9023

10ml Syringe Fisher Scientific Part No SZR-150-041H 01509 231166

Dental Rolls Davis Healthcare Part No 1 or 2 01707 822400

2) Salivette

• The same procedure as above is followed but the dental roll is returned to the top portion of the tube and this is centrifuged to obtain a clear fluid sample in the lower portion of the tube.

Equipment Needed

Salivette Tube Sarstedt Part No 51.1534 0116 235 9023

3) Straw

• A straw is the preferred method to use for very young children.

• The subject dribbles down a straw into a plastic sample tube.

• Collect approximately 0.5ml of saliva.

Equipment Needed

Sample Tube Sarstedt Part No 60.542 0116 235 9023

To avoid contamination of the sample, the subject or helper should not touch the dental roll during the sample collection process. It is important that the helper is a non-smoker and the sample tubes; straws and dental rolls have been stored in a non-smoking environment.