How do you tell a co-worker (part-time supervisor)... that she has extremely bad breath??

I almost think its medical or diet something ... needs attention I have offered breath mints gum ... it can be smelled almost 4 to 5 feet away thats why I am thinking its a medical issue ...the mints do not help neither does the gum.

How can she not know or smell it ... top it all off she is a gossiper so she likes to get real close to tell you the story ... I move to her side so its not directly in my face ... all of my other co-workers talk about it ...so its not just me ...

I am not friendly enough with her to say "hey do you have something going on that would cause your breath to stink that badly on a daily consistent basis!!"

She lost over 150lbs in the last few years no clue if she did it with diet or surgery met her after she lost the weight but I have seen pictures of when she was a big girl.

So I wonder if she had gastric bypass if that is a side effect of the surgery??? there is no distinct smell to it like garlic or onion or any other odor ... it just lingers..

I think of a "green cloud" lingering over her head when she is talking ...kind of distracting :)

So how can I tactfully ask is it medical?? diet ?? without insulting her ...sadly I think anyway I ask/say something it will offend her.

I'd make sure it's really private, pull her aside where she won't have to walk past anyone else who she might think would be in on what you're saying (less embarrassing). And then just tell her that you want her to know that her breath sometimes stinks and you know that it's hard to tell if your own breath stinks...

I wouldn't ask if it's medical... Maybe you could have a "friend" who had really bad breath and your "friend" went to the doctor because sometimes it's medical. I'd express concern for her health, but not ask that directly.

The general manager is sort of a bully so coming from him it would be taken as offensive ... others make fun of her ... I try to defend her saying it must be diet or medical but she is rather abrasive herself ...

I have to work with her tonight so thats why I was looking for some advice ..

BUT something came to mind. You say she lost a lot of weight? My sister takes phentermine (a prescription diet drug) and it gives her extreme dry mouth. To the point of when she talks her lips sometimes get 'stuck' on her teeth because her mouth is SO dry and she often has bad breath. 1. From smoking and 2. The dry mouth.
If she is on medication that cause dry mouth, that might be your answer to 'why'? Also if she drinks coffee with cream, smokes .. That adds to it. Do you think she is actually brushing her teeth in the mornings? I used to be in the dental field lol you guys don't laugh ... Dental to accountant .. Lol ok anyway - if she has severe sinus issues, she will have bad breath.. Notice any sneezing, coughing or complaints about sinus issues? She may not even realize it's effecting her.

My ex often did not brush his teeth at bedtime. He would fall asleep in the recliner and then shuffle half asleep to the bedroom, strip and fall in the bed... I had to start saying, 'let's get ready for bed before we turn the tv on' and then I would brush my teeth and he would follow my example. Not the same situation but wondering of she brushed during the day if that would help.
I brush at work because I try to keep myself from drinking too much coffee or snacking... So I brush and gargle twice sometimes three times a day. A few ladies liked the 'smell' of my fresh clean mouth just walking in to the room so they asked, 'do you brush at work?'. Why yes. Yes I do. And so now several of us are 'work' brushers...

I second the go to the HR dept if that doesn't work, maybe just take her away quietly or step outside.
I did have to confront someone about something embarrassing once and she was actually quite grateful. Granted it wasn't her breath but it was her perfume. I was sneezing all day and because I was miserable I finally just said 'hey can I talk to you for a minute? I love your perfume but I think I'm allergic to it' and she was like omg! Everyone has been sneezing and I thought you guys just had colds... Thank you sooo much for telling me how embarrassing. She just switched and didn't wear as much.

Good luck and Hey be sure to let us know what you do and how it turns out

I think bad breath is such sensitive issue that i would not want to be the one addressing it

He is mostly unaware that his breath is bad until I tell him...and he is always so embarrassed. But, I know he appreciates me telling him and saving him from further embarrassment at work or in social situations.

I'm not sure how you should handle this with your co-worker, but maybe you could print off some info on plaque, or get it from a dentist's office, and pass it along to her in a kind, non-judgemental manner.