Conclusions
Saliva may be a viable alternative to nasopharyngeal specimen collection for COVID-19 testing. Further studies are needed to investigate the efficacy, feasibility and scalability of using salivary specimens for SARS-CoV-2 detection and surveillance on a nationwide basis. It is imperative that OHCP stay abreast of the latest developments surrounding the pandemic, follow guidelines from the CDC, ADA, the federal and state governments, and make informed decisions regarding clinical care. Telemedicine efforts can be an excellent adjunct in triaging patients and determining urgency of need.