About Oral Cancer

At Dawson, we are continually striving to provide important enhancements in oral health care. We are concerned about oral cancer and look for it in all “at-risk” patients, using a screening tool that allows us to detect oral cancer earlier than ever before.

Three people a day die from oral cancer in Canada. Late detection of oral cancer is the primary reason that mortality rates are so dismal. As with most other cancers, age is the primary risk factor for oral cancer. Though tobacco use is a major predisposing risk factor, 25% of oral cancer victims have no lifestyle risk factors.

 

Our practice continually strives to provide important enhancements in oral health care. We are concerned about oral cancer and look for it in all “at-risk” patients. We have a screening tool that allows us to detect oral cancer earlier than ever before! This system allows the Dentist or Hygienist to visualize and identify oral mucosal abnormalities that may have otherwise been missed during a conventional oral cancer examination. It is the only medical device that the FDA has cleared for the identification of oral abnormalities in patients with an increased risk for oral cancer.

  • Increased Risk: Patients age 18-39 with no lifestyle risk factors
  • High Risk: Patients age 40 and older with no lifestyle risk factors OR Patients age 18-39 with lifestyle risk factors.
  • Highest Risk: Patients age 65 and older with lifestyle risk factors or patients with a history of oral cancer.

Lifestyle risk factors for oral cancer include:

  • Tobacco use (any type, any age, within 10 years)
  • Alcohol consumption of at least 1 drink per day
  • Immune deficiencies such as HIV & AIDS
  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV 16/18)

How VELscope Oral Cancer Screening Works

As with most serious diseases, early detection is the key to successful outcomes. Unfortunately, the problem with oral cancer is that approximately 70% of the time it is not visible to us until it has reached an advanced stage. VELscope technology assists us in seeing abnormal tissue in the mouth before it is plainly obvious. VELscope uses natural tissue fluorescence to discover abnormalities. It is an extremely effective aid for discovering and defining the extent of a wide range of abnormalities, including oral cancer.

  • takes less than five minutes to complete
  • completely non-invasive – there is no rinse or dye necessary
  • photo documentation
  • The purpose of using VELscope is to identify tissue changes at their earliest stage; once abnormal tissue has been identified it is up to your dental professional to determine what the appropriate next steps are.

 

What is the cost?

VELscope is $25. Oral cancer screenings are not currently covered by Dental Insurance in Ontario, but progress is being made. We are hopeful that in the near future, the importance of screenings will result in full coverage.

Dawson feels so strongly about early detection that we have pledged an annual donation to Cancer Research and its respective charities. Not only are you helping yourself by being proactive, but you’re also helping those in need and their families.

Book An Appointment

Please fill out the below form with your contact information and once it has been submitted, our office will get back to you shortly to confirm your appointment.

Our Locations

133 Pedersen Drive Suite A3
Aurora, ON L4G 0E3
289.805.3540

165 Wellington Street West, Suite 1B,
Barrie, ON L4N 1L7
705.999.0177

8 Nelson Street West,
Brampton, ON, L6X 4J2
647.490.2375

1 Wexford Road,
Brampton, ON L6Z 2W1, Canada
647.363.7426

200 Carnwith Drive East, Suite 6
Brooklin, ON L1M 0A1
289.275.6702

299 Main Street North
Callander, ON P0H 1H0
705.995.1800

541 Hespeler Road Unit 103
Cambridge, ON N1R 6J2
226.212.8149

806 Gordon Street Suite 104,
Guelph, ON N1G 1Y7
226.212.8140

89 Dawson Road Suite 100,
Guelph, ON N1H 1B1
226.212.8037

399 18th Avenue,
Hanover, ON N4N 2H0
226.212.8175

1491 Innisfil Beach Road, Unit #1,
Innisfil, Ontario, L9S4B2, Canada
705.999.6998

76 Arlington Dr., Unit #14
Keswick, ON L4P 0A9
905.476.5333

23558 Woodbine Ave, Unit F2
Keswick, ON L4P 0E2
905.476.4144

1700 King Road,
King, ON L7B 1K2, Canada
289.812.2496

1260 Carmil Blvd
Kingston, ON K7M 5Z3
613.389.6126

80 Queen Street,
Kingston, ON K7K 1A5
613.777.6055

110 Princess Street,
Kingston, ON K7L 1A7
613.546.9898

235 Ira Needles Blvd,
Kitchener, ON N2N 0B2, Canada
226.212.8182

693 Havelock Street North,
Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0, Canada
226.212.8145

57 Harry Walker Parkway South, Units 3-5
Newmarket, ON L3Y 8T3
289.802.0774

1221 Algonquin Avenue,
North Bay, ON P1B 4Y3, Canada
705.995.2917

58 Rossland Road West,
Oshawa, ON L1G 2V5
289.275.1535

2555 Victoria Park Avenue Suite 12,
Scarborough, ON M1T 1A3
647.363.7705

171 East Liberty Street
Toronto, ON M6K 3P6
647.363.6646

985 Broadview Ave,
Toronto, ON M4K 2R9
647.363.6781

181 Yonge Street, Suite 101,
Toronto, ON M5B1M4
647.363.7470

120 Bloor Street East Suite 100A
Toronto, ON M4W 1B7
647.363.7822

1560 Yonge Street, Suites 110 and 111
Toronto, ON, Canada
647.363.7479

25 Bellair St, 2nd Floor
Toronto, ON M5R 2C8, Canada
416.927.7677

36 Northfield Drive East Suite 9,
Waterloo, ON N2L 6A1
226.212.8156