How should one handle finding out how clean a provider is?  Is it considered rude to ask if they get tested regularly?  I'm pretty paranoid about diseases and really want to make sure the people I'm with are clean.  How's the best way of making sure that's the case?

There isn't.

Think about it.  If you ask, that means you're worried about it.  You'll either get a provider who does actually get tested regularly, or you'll get one that says she gets tested regularly but doesn't.

It's a good idea to assume your provider (or the hobbiests she sees) have some STD.  Thus it's also a good idea to get tested yourself regularly, and be safe while with a provider.  

My advice would be to learn about the risks of various STDs, and then decide what you're willing to do.  For example, BBBJ is ok with me, because it's safe enough for me and I don't have to worry about bringing something home.

Yeah, it could kill me, but so could driving.

BBBJ is a little risky. Syphillis, and Gonorhea are 2 that can be transmitted in this fashion. Not to mention Herpes and Hepatitis.

Yes, I acknowledge that it's riskier than covered.  I know I'm playing russian roulette, it's just a question of are there 100 empty chambers or 10,000,000,000,000.  But there's always a bullet.

Heck, it's theoretically possible to catch leprosy from a provider, but we don't worry about it much, do we?

I'm not saying everyone should forget about diseases, it's just a matter of knowning what the risks are and figuring out which ones you'll accept.

The amazing thing is all those with SO's who do DATY all the time with providers who BBBJ. These same guys always make a big deal about wearing a cover but have no problem sticking their face in it. Am I missing something here?

Yes.  Saliva and stomach acid are quite effective at killing STDs.  

The only way most STDs can be transmitted by BBBJ is to the provider through something like bleeding gums.  Since nothing much is flowing into the guy getting the BBBJ, his major concern would be skin-transmittable diseases such as herpes.  Either way, the risks with BBBJ, while present, are significantly less than sex.

DATY has a different set of risks, and can vary widly due to technique.  It is riskier than BBBJ because of the parts that get involved.  Still less risky than sex.

I'm with you bluehornet, but I think it's more from lack of knowledge, than an error in judgment. They think they have all the facts. Believing condoms make you Bullet-Proof, is just one of the Propaganda lies,sold to us by the Condom Industry. Remember, the HIV hysteria has turned their 1950's million $ business, into a 1980's Multi-Billion $ Industry..!!!  Wake-up Guys, If it doesn't look good, smell good, or taste good and the lady in question isn't someone you'd be proud to be seen with in a well lit , public place, DON'T go there..!!! Condom or no condom...This is not Brain Surgery...!!!  If she's covering her arms or other body parts, THERE'S A REASON....HELLO.!!! If she seems "Out there" There's a reason. If she's "Flaky","Chatty" and otherwise "Rushin", Pay attention to your Big Head and get the Hell out of there..!!! Just my 2"sense" worth..Robyn

Thanks for all the info. I am new to this. I had a session with a provider in NYC a month ago.  She seemed very nice and had several very good reviews so I took a shot.  I noticed a couple "black and blue marks) on her legs. If they were on her arms, I would have taken off.  She told me that she bruised easily so I continued.
I used a cover during intercourse, however I did receive BBBJ.
Should I be concerned ??  It has been over a month and I have not had any sores so perhaps my concern is not warrented.  
Needless to say, I will not see her again.  I pefer not to see a doctor unless something pops up, which it hasn't as mentioned.
Thanks for any help.

Okay, this is what two different urologists told me about the risk of receiving a STD via a BBBJ.  First, there is a risk but it is much lower than from unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse; the risk is not zero just lower.  Second, the risk of getting HIV from a BBBJ is extremely low -- even in infected individuals, HIV is at very low concentrations in saliva.  Third, gonorrhea and chlamydia are the most likely STD's to be transmitted by a BBBJ, and they have both seen patients who have caught it that way.  The symptons show up with a 2 to 10 days for gonorrhea and 1 to 3 weeks for chlamydia -- burning during urination and/or discharge from the penis. Fourth, other STD's including syphilis, hepatitis and herpes can also be spread by BBBJ but neither of them had ever seen it.

Everything they told me is confirmed by all the literature I've read (and I've read a lot because I love BBBJ's!).  The best place to start is www.thebody.com/stdbasics.html -- the thebody.com has lots of other pages that are useful, including one on oral sex.

Hope this helps.

IMHO anyone with an SO who does BBBJ or DATY with a provider is playing with fire. If a hobbyist has any respect for their SO they owe it to them to play safe.

Hi,
Thanks for the info.  I  figured that I was ok but it felt better to see the info.  It has been about 6 weeks since my last encounter and no problems. I figured HIV from a BBBJ was remote and my feelings were confirmed.
I agree about doing this if you have a SO, which I of course do not.

DATY isn't riskier than BBBJ;