Services
Oral Cancer Screenings
What Is An Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a quick, non-invasive exam where we look for unusual changes in the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat. It’s often included as part of routine checkups. Screening doesn’t diagnose cancer on its own, but it can help identify areas that may need a closer look.
Why Include Screenings In Routine Care?
Quick And Non-Invasive
Screenings are typically fast and can be done during a regular dental visit.
Awareness Of Changes Over Time
Regular visits help us notice changes and recommend follow-up when something looks different.
Supports Preventive Wellness
Screenings are one more way we support your overall health, not just your teeth.
What We Look For During A Screening
We visually examine the soft tissues of your mouth and may gently feel along certain areas of the jaw and neck. We’re looking for sores that don’t heal, unusual patches, lumps, or changes that stand out from normal tissue.
If we see something that needs follow-up, we’ll explain what we noticed and discuss next steps. That might include monitoring, re-checking at a future visit, or referring you for additional evaluation.
If you’ve noticed persistent changes yourself—like a sore spot, difficulty swallowing, or a lump—bring it up. We’re here to listen and help you get answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about oral cancer screenings
It’s typically quick and can often be done as part of a routine checkup. We’ll let you know what we’re doing as we go.
Screenings are generally comfortable and non-invasive. If anything feels tender, tell us and we’ll be gentle and adjust as needed.
We’ll explain what we noticed and recommend the most appropriate next step, which could include monitoring or referral for further evaluation.
Screenings can be beneficial for adults as part of routine preventive care. Your personal risk factors and health history can influence recommendations.
Coverage varies by plan. We can review your benefits and help you understand what’s included in your preventive visits.