Saliva Management in Parkinson's Disease: Practical Strategies for Speech Pathologists (Neuro Care Collective Professional Practice)

Saliva Management in Parkinson's Disease: Practical Management for Speech PathologistsSaliva control difficulties are among the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by people living with Parkinson's disease (PD) - yet many speech pathologists feel unsure how to approach this complex and sensitive area of care.Saliva Management in Parkinson's Disease provides a practical, evidence-based guide for Speech Pathologists (SLPs) and allied health professionals supporting clients with drooling, xerostomia (dry mouth), thick or sticky saliva, and secretion pooling associated with Parkinson's Disease.Written by Holly Puckering (BSpPath, CPSP) after more than 20 years practising in the field of progressive neurological diseases, this comprehensive resource transforms complex neurophysiological concepts into real-world clinical tools, ready for use at the bedside, in the community, or in outpatient settings.What you'll learnUsing the unique NCC VOICE framework (Validate, Options, Integrate, Collaborate, Enable), this book guides clinicians step-by-step through:Understanding the mechanisms: How Parkinson's disease affects the autonomic nervous system, cranial nerve control, and swallow frequency - leading to drooling, thick saliva or drynessAssessment strategies: How to observe swallow frequency, assess oral health, use saliva severity scales (e.g. DSFS, SCS-PD), and integrate the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) and VAS as outcome measuresManagement Approaches: Behavioural, postural, oral care, and medical strategies - and how to combine them safely in a person-centered planMedication and saliva: Understanding the influence of dopaminergic agents, anticholinergics, antidepressants, and botulinum toxin on saliva quantity and qualityCollaboration in care: Working with Neurologists, OTs, PTs, Dietitians, Dental professionals, Nurses and Carers to create sustainable daily routinesEthical and consent frameworks: Maintaining dignity, autonomy, and readiness to change when working with progressive neurological conditionsInside You'll Find:Ready-to-use clinical template: Oral care prescriptions, Bedside Secretion and Oral Health Checklists, Outcome Tracking Tools, and Sample Documentation LinesReflective Practice Prompts designed for self-directed learning or CPD (Speech Pathologist Australia Category 2: Independent Study)Evidence summaries and references from leading journals, including Gerontology, Dysphagia, Frontiers in Neurology, and Journal of Dentistry (2021-25)A practical interdisciplinary guide showing how SLPs, OTs, Dentists, and Nurses (amongst others) can work effectively together for saliva managementPerson-centred examples based on real-world scenarios for clients, illustrating how to align treatment with what truly matters to each clientWhy Clinicians Love This BookPerson-centered and practical - designed for clinicians who want actionable strategies, not theory aloneEvidence-based - built from current, peer-reviewed research on saliva control, dysphagia and oral health in Parkinson's diseaseFramework-driven - Uses NCC's VOICE model to guide clinical reasoning, reflective practice, and confident actionImmediately applicable - includes reproducible tools for assessment, documentation, and outcome tracking.Perfect for self-directed learning - ideal for immediate clinical supportWho This Book Is ForSpeech Pathologists working in neuro, community or aged care settingsAllied Health Professionals supporting people with PDClinical educators and supervisors seeking structured training materialClinicans seeking confidence and clarity in saliva management and swallowing safety Read more