Oral Cancer Detection: Frequently Asked Questions

QUESTION: HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE FROM ORAL CANCER?

A: About 36,500 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer each year and about 7,900 will die from the disease per year. About 61% of those with the disease will survive more than 5 years.

QUESTION: DO YOU USE VELSCOPE?

A: VELscope is a light that claims to help dentists see lesions better. In our office, we feel very strongly about practicing evidence-based dentistry. The research that has been done on VELscope doesn’t show any major increase in detection of oral cancer. On the contrary, research does show that VELscope use creates an increase in biopsies performed – many of which are unnecessary. The same can be said about Brush tests that many offices employ. Therefore, at the present moment, we have decided not to incorporate VELscope or Brust tests into our practice. We do the research for you so that we can eliminate any unnecessary costs or procedures for our patients.