Compared with traditional blood testing methods, iClean® Saliva Collection Cards have the following advantages:

1. Non – invasive Sampling Method

Traditional blood tests require obtaining samples through methods such as venipuncture or fingertip blood collection, which can cause pain and discomfort to the subjects. Especially for children, the elderly, those with difficult venous access, or people with blood phobia, the blood – collection process may cause significant psychological stress and physical pain. In contrast, iClean® Saliva Collection Cards only need to collect saliva. The collection process is simple and painless, similar to daily oral cleaning, without causing pain or other uncomfortable reactions, greatly improving the acceptability of the subjects.

For example, in large – scale population screening activities, such as disease censuses in schools or community health checks, the use of saliva collection cards can make the testing process smoother and reduce the inconvenience caused by difficult blood collection or the subjects’ resistance.

2. More Convenient Collection Process

Blood tests usually require professional medical staff to operate. After collecting blood, special equipment is also needed to store and transport the samples to prevent blood clotting or deterioration. However, the use of iClean® Saliva Collection Cards is very simple. Subjects can collect samples by themselves after simple instructions, without the need for professional medical staff to be present. The collection cards are small, lightweight, and easy to carry, allowing subjects to complete sample collection in different environments (such as at home or in the workplace).

For instance, for some people in remote areas or those with limited mobility, if they need to be tested, they can conveniently complete sample collection at home using saliva collection cards and then send the samples to the testing institution by mail, reducing the inconvenience of traveling to medical institutions. Moreover, saliva samples are relatively stable after collection and do not require the complex storage conditions like blood samples. Generally, they can be stored at room temperature, reducing the cost and difficulty of sample storage and transportation.

3. Reduced Risk of Infection

Since blood tests involve skin puncture, there is a certain risk of infection, such as contracting blood – borne diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and AIDS. During the blood – collection process, if medical devices are not disinfected properly or the operation is incorrect, cross – infection can easily occur. In contrast, iClean® Saliva Collection Cards avoid the skin – puncture link, reducing the possibility of infection from the source, making it a safer testing method.

For example, in some areas with a high incidence of infectious diseases or places with relatively scarce medical resources, the use of saliva collection cards for testing can effectively reduce the risk of disease transmission caused by blood – collection operations, providing a safeguard for public health safety.

4. Ability to Reflect Certain Specific Information

Saliva contains a wealth of biomarkers, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, hormones, etc., which can provide important evidence for the detection and diagnosis of various diseases. For some diseases, saliva testing and blood testing can provide complementary information. For example, in the detection of oral diseases, components such as the DNA of oral microorganisms in saliva can more directly reflect the oral health status. In certain genetic tests, the DNA in saliva has a similar testing value to that in blood and can be used for the screening of hereditary diseases and pharmacogenomic research.