The Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS)

The Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale helps caregivers and doctors rate drooling in children with neurological conditions. It tracks severity and frequency to monitor how well treatments work.

Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS) PDF assessment form for measuring drooling.
DSFS

Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS)

The Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS) helps clinicians assess sialorrhea effectively. By rating severity and frequency, this tool tracks treatment progress in patients with neurological conditions. It's a practical way to monitor changes over time and adjust care plans as needed.

Category

Physical health
Movement System
Monitoring
Rehabilitation

Disease

Assessment
Clinical Measurement
Rehabilitation

Source

(Sforza et al., 2022)

Author Name

Thomas-Stonell, N. & Greenberg, J. (1988)

What is Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS)

The Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale (DSFS) is a key tool for checking saliva control issues. It helps clinicians track drooling impact easily. This straightforward rating system splits assessment into two distinct parts. It looks at how bad the drooling is and how often it happens during daily activities. The severity section uses a range of five points from dry to profuse wetting, while the frequency part tracks occurrences on a scale of four points. This setup lets carers or doctors capture a clear picture of the problem without needing complex equipment. Clinicians often use this scale to see if treatments like medication or oral motor therapy are working well. It is quick to administer and relies on observation, making it practical for busy clinics. By using these scores, teams can make better choices about future care plans for patients.

DSFS Scoring

The Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale can be scored using two straightforward approaches. 1. Individual Ratings: You rate severity on a scale of 1 (dry) to 5 (profuse) and frequency from 1 (no drooling) to 4 (constant). This helps you spot if volume or timing is the main worry. 2. Total Score: Most clinicians sum these two numbers for a composite score ranging from 2 to 9. A higher total indicates a heavier burden. This combined number is really useful for checking if therapies are helping or if the condition is getting worse over time in a busy practice.

View scoring form

Advantages

Outcome validation

Measures treatment effectiveness through standardised tools.

User-friendly

Simple to understand and complete for patients.

Research validity

Strengthens evidence through systematic measurement approaches.

Health monitoring

Tracks patient condition changes systematically.

2
Minutes
2
Questions

Streamline Drooling Severity and Frequency Scale assessments with WeGuide

Digitise the DSFS to easily track drooling severity and frequency. Automate collection and monitor treatment outcomes efficiently.

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