Did you know that more than one person per hour will die this
year from oral cancer in North America? Did you know that oral
cancer is more deadly than other forms of cancer, like skin
cancer, because it is usually found later in development? Did
you know that the fastest growing segment of the population
developing oral cancer is young people as a result of HPV? In
addition to the visual and palpation checks we do at your
recalls and exams, we have responded to this oral cancer threat
by introducing an additional screening measure, the VELscope.
How Does a VELscope work? Our VELscope works through tissue
flourescence. This is an optic phenomenon that allows us to
differentiate between normal and rapidly-changing tissue. When a
VELscope is turned on, a ring of light illuminates the tissues
in your mouth. The wavelength and intensity of this light causes
the healthy tissues of your mouth to fluoresce green. By
contrast, areas of concern will appear dark against the green
healthy tissue. We use this tool to hel