General Dentistry

Oral Cancer Screening

A two-minute screening that can detect oral cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages — included with every cleaning and exam.

Visit time2–5 min
FrequencyEvery visit
AnesthesiaNot needed
InsuranceIncluded with exam
Hero photo · oral cancer screening
Overview

What it actually is.

Oral cancer screening is a visual and tactile examination of the soft tissue of your mouth — lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, and the floor of the mouth — looking for any patches, sores, lumps, or color changes that don't belong.

Survival rates for oral cancer are dramatically higher when it's caught early. Because we see your mouth twice a year, our team is often the first to notice changes worth investigating.

A two-minute screening at every visit. Early detection is the single largest factor in survival.

What to Expect

How the visit goes.

Every patient gets the same unhurried, step-by-step process. No surprises, no fine print — you know what's happening before it happens.

01 Step 01

Visual exam

We carefully inspect every soft-tissue surface of your mouth, lips, and the back of your throat.

02 Step 02

Tactile exam

Gentle palpation around the jaw and neck checks for lumps or swelling in the lymph nodes.

03 Step 03

Document findings

Anything unusual is noted in your chart and photographed for comparison at your next visit.

04 Step 04

Referral if needed

If we find something that requires further evaluation, we refer you to a trusted specialist promptly.

Why It Matters

What you get out of it.

The benefits aren't theoretical. Here's what changes for you in the weeks and months after treatment.

01

Early detection saves lives

Oral cancer is highly treatable when caught early — the five-year survival rate drops sharply at later stages.

02

Two-minute commitment

The screening is included with every cleaning and exam — no extra time, no extra cost.

03

Painless, non-invasive

It's a visual and tactile exam only. No biopsy, no instruments — unless we find something that needs a closer look.

04

Peace of mind

For patients with risk factors — tobacco use, heavy alcohol, HPV, or family history — annual screening offers important reassurance.

Insurance & Pricing

Included free with every visit.

The oral cancer screening is part of every comprehensive exam — no separate charge. It takes two minutes and could be one of the most important parts of your visit.

Questions

The things everyone asks.

Who should be screened?
Every adult, at every dental visit. Risk is higher for tobacco users, heavy alcohol drinkers, those with HPV exposure, prolonged sun exposure, or a family history of oral cancer.
What does oral cancer look like?
It can present as a persistent sore, white or red patch, a lump or thickening, or unexplained numbness. Most spots we examine turn out to be benign — but we never assume.
What if you find something?
If anything looks suspicious, we either monitor it over 2 weeks or refer you to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. Most findings are not cancer — but we always investigate to be sure.
Related Services

Often paired with this.

Treatments that frequently come up alongside Oral Cancer Screening — explore what's relevant to your case.

Ready to begin?

Walk-ins welcome. Or call ahead for the shortest wait.

(469) 759-6964