The evaluation of swallowing disorders currently uses a variety of methods. The most common dichotomy is between instrumental and noninstrumental or clinical examinations. The clinical bedside assessment often is considered the mainstay of dysphagia management. As the first line of assessment, it frequently defines the process and requisites of the task. This article reviews the available methods of noninstrumental bedside swallowing assessment and considers the issues surrounding the use of these approaches today.