If you are one of the millions of people who watch the Dr. Oz Show, you may have seen a segment on the importance of receiving a screening for oral cancer. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, each year in the U.S. alone, approximately 36,000 individuals are newly diagnosed with oral cancer. A startling fact is that the death rate from oral cancer is very high- about 43% of those diagnosed will not survive more than five years. Although these facts are very alarming, early detection leads to higher survival rates.

You may know that certain risk factors such as tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption and unprotected sun exposure can contribute to oral cancer. But did you know that increasing numbers of young, non-smoking individuals are being diagnosed with oral cancer? According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, the most likely causative factor is HPV16 viral infection, the same virus that is responsible for more than 95% of all cervical cancers.

At Roselle Park Dental, our oral cancer screening is painless, quick and inexpensive. We conduct oral cancer screenings for our patients once per year. We incorporate our oral cancer screening into our patients' routine cleanings and check ups.

How does the VELscope^® work?

The VELscope^® uses Fluorescence Visualization (FV) in an exciting new way.  Essentially, bright blue light is shone into the mouth to expose changes and lesions that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye.  One of the biggest difficulties in diagnosing oral cancer is that its symptoms look similar to symptoms of less serious problems.  The VELscope^® System affords the dentist important insight as to what is happening beneath the surface.

The healthy soft tissue of the mouth naturally absorbs the VELscope^® frequency of blue light. Healthy areas beneath the surface of the soft tissue show up green, and the problem areas become much darker.

Here are some of the advantages of using the VELscope^® System:

• Can be combined with digital photography.
• Detects lesions, white and red patches.
• Detects problem areas that cannot be seen under white light.
• Exposes precancerous and cancerous tissue.
• FDA-approved.
• Helps dentists check that diseased soft tissue is completely removed.
• Helps diagnose oral cancer in its earliest stages, exponentially increasing the chance of survival.
• Quick, painless examinations.

How is the VELscope^® examination performed?

The VELscope^® examination literally takes only two or three minutes.  It is a painless and noninvasive procedure that saves many lives every single year.

Here is a brief overview of what a VELscope^® examination is like:

Initially, the dentist will perform a regular visual examination of the whole lower face.  This includes the glands, tongue, cheeks and palate as well as the teeth.  Next a pre-rinse solution is swilled around the mouth for slightly less than a minute.  The dentist provides special eyewear to protect the integrity of 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, the dentist may take a biopsy there and then 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.