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Although oral cancer remains one of the ten most frequently occurring cancers worldwide, recent advances in research, prevention, detection, and treatment, have enabled more and more people to experience positive outcomes of care. As a matter of fact, when oral cancer gets detected in its earliest stages, the survival rate exceeds 80%.
A VELscope® oral cancer screening offers our professional team a simple, painless, and thorough way to check for tissue abnormalities that may indicate the presence of oral cancer or premalignant dysplasia.
While a visual inspection and palpation offer valuable information on tissue health and the presence of disease, today, VELscope technology enables us to detect and visualize suspicious lesions that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Designed as a convenient and portable handheld device, VELscope is extremely sensitive to any abnormal changes in the natural tissue fluorescence of the oral mucosa. More simply put, the bright blue light of the VELscope device can distinguish healthy soft tissue inside the mouth from soft tissue that has undergone pathological changes. With an ability to identify, evaluate and monitor abnormal soft tissue changes that might otherwise remain undetected, VELscope offers a valuable adjunct to the oral cancer screening process.
We provide high-quality, whole-patient, and integrated care to support beautiful smiles, excellent oral health, and overall wellness.
As part of a patient's checkup and dental hygiene visit, we perform routine oral cancer screenings, complemented by a VELscope examination to check for any questionable tissue changes that might be indicative of oral cancer or other harmful conditions. We also teach patients about the signs and symptoms of oral cancer and what to keep an eye out for at home.
To learn more about Velscope and oral cancer screenings, check out our blog post here.
VELscope® is a handheld screening device that uses a special light to look beneath the surface of oral tissue. It highlights natural fluorescence patterns, making it easier for your dentist to spot abnormalities that could indicate cancer or pre-cancerous changes — often before they'd be visible to the naked eye.
VELscope® is used alongside your traditional head and neck exam, not instead of it. It's an added layer of screening that gives your dentist another way to catch changes early.
Yes - it's quick, painless, and completely non-invasive. The exam typically takes about two minutes and can be done as part of a routine recall visit.
Oral cancer rates have been increasing, and HPV is now linked to a majority of new cases. It's also appearing more often in younger patients, and is unfortunately often caught late. Regular screening is one of the best tools we have for catching it early, when treatment is most effective.
Yes. It was developed with the BC Cancer Agency and is the only dental device ever recognized by the World Health Organization. Over 40 million exams have been performed with it worldwide, and its research base includes numerous published studies, available at velscope.com.
