OHAT Saliva

The Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) Scoring - Saliva

OHAT Scoring Instructions

0 = Healthy Moist tissues, watery and free-flowing saliva	1 = Changes Dry, sticky tissues, little saliva present, person thinks they have a dry mouth	2 = Unhealthy Tissues parched and red, very little/no saliva present, saliva is thick, person thinks they have a dry mouth
Normal saliva	Dry, sticky tissue with little saliva	Parched, red tissues with very little thick saliva
Normal saliva	Dry, sticky tissues with little saliva	Tissues parched with no saliva (oral mucositis)

0 = Healthy

Moist tissues, watery
and free-flowing
saliva

1 = Changes

Dry, sticky tissues,
little saliva present,
person thinks they
have a dry mouth

2 = Unhealthy

Tissues parched and
red, very little/no
saliva present, saliva
is thick, person thinks
they have a dry mouth

Normal saliva

Dry, sticky tissue
with little saliva

Parched, red tissues with
very little thick saliva

Normal saliva

Dry, sticky tissues
with little saliva

Tissues parched with
no saliva (oral mucositis)

OHAT Practice Quiz

Practice using the Oral Health Assessment Tool by filling out the first part of the form for Mr. Johnson's saliva, which is shown in the photographs below.

Category

0 = Healthy

1 = Changes

2 = Unhealthy

Category Scores

Saliva

moist tissues, watery and free-flowing saliva

dry, sticky tissues, little saliva present, person thinks they have a dry mouth

tissues parched and red, very little/no saliva present, saliva is thick, person thinks they have a dry mouth

OHAT Practice Answer

Category	Observation	Our Score
Saliva	The oral tissues are parched and red, and very little saliva is present	2

Oral Hygiene Care Plan (Chalmers, 2004 for use by the Iowa Geriatric Education Center; reviewed by Marchini, 2016; Review 2023)