At Meadows Gate Dental clinic, your dental checkup includes screening for signs of oral cancer. Each patient receives an oral cancer screening because dentists are often the first health care practitioner to be in the position to identify potential problems.  We use the Velscope® oral cancer screening process for our patients if there's a need.

We perform a regular visual examination of the whole lower face.  This includes the glands, tongue, cheeks and palate, as well as the teeth.

• Then, a pre-rinse solution is swilled around the mouth for slightly less than a minute.
• We provide you with special protective eyewear to protect the retinas.
• The lights in the room are dimmed to allow a clear view of the oral cavity.
• The small VELscope® is bent to project blue light inside the mouth.  Lesions and other indicators of oral cancer are easily noticeable because they appear much darker under the specialized light.
• If symptoms are noted, we may take a biopsy at the time to determine whether or not this is oral cancer.  The results of the biopsy dictate the best course of action from there.
• Otherwise, another oral cancer screening is performed in one year’s time.

If you have any questions or concerns about oral cancer screening or the VELscope® system, please contact our office.