General Dentistry
Oral Cancer Screening
It takes about a minute, it is included in every examination, and it is the part we would least like you to skip.
What it is
Oral cancer is far more survivable when it is caught early, and early is exactly when it causes no symptoms at all. That is the whole argument for screening people who feel completely well.
We examine the tongue, floor of mouth, cheeks, palate, tonsillar region and the lymph nodes of the neck, looking for ulcers that have not healed, patches that have changed colour, and lumps or thickenings that were not there last time. Having a record of what your mouth looked like six months ago is a large part of what makes the check useful.
Most of what we find is harmless and we will say so plainly rather than leave you to worry. Where something needs a second opinion we refer urgently and help you chase the appointment — we do not hand you a letter and leave it there.
Included
What this
involves
Everything below is carried out here, by the clinician who planned it. Anything not on this list is either not needed or will be discussed with you before it is booked.
- Full soft-tissue examination
- Head, neck and lymph node check
- Photographic records for comparison
- Risk discussion — tobacco, alcohol, HPV
- Urgent referral where needed
- Included in every examination
The whole family on one set of records, with the same clinician watching how each mouth changes over time.
Common questions
Good To Know
- Do I need to ask for this?
- No. It is part of every examination here, whether or not you have any risk factors.
- What should I be looking for myself?
- An ulcer that has not healed in three weeks, a red or white patch that persists, a lump, or a persistent hoarseness or difficulty swallowing. Any of those is worth a call rather than a wait.
- I do not smoke or drink. Am I still at risk?
- The risk is lower but not zero — HPV-related cases occur in people with none of the traditional risk factors. The check costs a minute either way.
More in this area
General Dentistry
Considering oral cancer screening?
Come in for a consultation. We will examine, explain and give you a written plan with a price against every item — then you decide, in your own time.