Odour “judges”

However, certain psychological and physiological factors can influence the organoleptic method of assessment (whether the individual has fasted, menstrual cycle, head position, degree of concentration, expectations, etc.). It is difficult to reproduce the action of smelling in a reliable way, as it is merely a short and fast inhalation.

Organoleptic assessment is a simple, frequently-used method for detecting halitosis. While it is true that certain highly trained “judges” do manage to perceive differences between odours, this method can hardly serve as a basis for obtaining an etiological diagnosis. One of the most commonly used techniques involves placing a plastic tube in the patient’s mouth to prevent the dilution of the breath by the air in the surrounding air. While the patient slowly exhales, the “judge” assesses the odour at the other end of the tube. As this is a rather embarrassing situation for both the assessor and the person being examined, an opaque privacy screen is placed between them (with a hole through which the tube is inserted) to ensure no visual contact. Nasal odour can also be measured by placing a tube into one nostril, while the person using their fingers to cover the other nostril. Canadian pharmacy cialis

Both the reliability and reproducibility of this method are problematic. That said, a way to achieve greater reliability is to perform the assessment using a team of different “judges”. Consistency between “judges” can be improved by means of standardising the testing of olfactory function by using a kit containing liquid versions of smells (T&T Olfactometer, for instance), and also by means of patients not practising oral hygiene habits, smoking, taking antibiotics or consuming foods containing garlic, onion or spices before the test. Moreover, greater consistency between the “judges” is achieved when they too avoid drinking coffee and tea, smoking, and using scented cosmetic products beforehand. Accutane Over The Counter

Nowadays, with the development of new technologies that can detect and measure the compounds present in the breath and the awkwardness experienced by both the patient and healthcare professional acting as “judge”, organoleptic tests are on their way out.