Start here · Tools · Isolation and suction
Saliva ejector
Also called: SE, low-volume suction, spit sucker
A thin, bendable straw that sucks up saliva and water during treatment.
The saliva ejector is a small, flexible suction tube that is bent to hang in the floor of the mouth. It removes small amounts of saliva and water. Do not let the patient close their lips around it: that can let fluid flow back from the tubing into the mouth.
How to spot it
- A thin clear or colored plastic tube with a wire inside so it holds a bend, and a soft cap on the end.
What it is used for
- Hygiene visits, sealants, impressions and procedures with low water flow.
Safety and care
- Single-use (disposable) item: use it on one patient, then throw it away. Never clean and reuse it.
- Tell the patient not to seal their lips around the tip (backflow risk).
Related
Sources: CDC. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 2003;52(RR-17), Hu-Friedy Group. Aerosol Management and HVE Best Practices