Technological advancement has been observed over the last few decades within many branches of medicine. This advancement has had an impressive impact on diagnostic developments and new methods of treatment that aid in improving treatment quality and the survival rate of patients. Dentistry is a field in which advancement is progressing at a rapid pace, which encourages dental practitioners to carry out interdisciplinary treatment planing and expanding their field of interest beyond the oral cavity. Saliva, once considered as an insignificant bodily secretion can, according to the latest research, be seen as a reflection of the human organism. Utilized for the evaluation of hormone levels, pro‑inflammatory cytokines, medications and antibodies it constitutes an easily accessible and extremely valuable diagnostic material. With a simple as well as non‑invasive method of obtainment saliva is an ideal medium which could be potentially used as an alternative method for standard laboratory tests. The aim of the following study is to present potential methods of saliva utilization in diagnostic procedures for periodontal diseases, as well as changes within the endothelium as a diagnostic factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Key words: saliva, endothelium, periodontal disease.