Regular oral cancer screenings in London are a core part of your preventive dental care. A screening is a routine check of the soft tissues inside your mouth, throat, and around your neck. We perform this assessment because oral cancer is often painless in its early stages, so most people don’t notice a problem until it has progressed. By looking for subtle changes during your regular visits to Saba Dental Centre, we can catch issues when they are small and most treatable.
What We Look For During the Oral Cancer Exam
We scan your entire mouth for red flags in a non-invasive, fast process. Our oral cancer screening in London focuses on areas you likely can’t see in a bathroom mirror:
- Sores and Patches: We look for red or white spots or any sore that hasn’t healed on its own within two weeks.
- Tissue Changes: We check for thickened areas or lumps in the cheeks, gums, and floor of the mouth.
- Neck and Jaw Assessment: We gently feel the lymph nodes in your neck and under your jaw to check for unusual firmness or swelling.
- Tongue and Throat: Using high-definition intraoral cameras, we can see the back of the throat and the underside of the tongue, where many oral health issues start.
Do I Need an Oral Cancer Screening?
You don’t need to be a smoker to be at risk for oral cancer. While lifestyle choices like tobacco and alcohol use are known factors, a growing number of cases are linked to common viruses like HPV, which can affect anyone. By screening you twice a year at our London office, we establish a record of what “normal” looks like for your mouth. If a small change appears six months from now, we have the data to identify it immediately rather than waiting for it to cause pain.
Oral Cancer Screening Costs in London, ON
For most patients, this screening is a standard part of a Recall Exam. If we find a spot that requires a more detailed follow-up, we use the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) Fee Guide for pricing:
- Standard Exam & Screening: A routine assessment included as part of your regular dental visit.
- Specialized Testing: If we use a specific light or dye to highlight abnormal cells, additional diagnostic fees may apply.
- Biopsy Referral: If a sample needs to be sent to a lab for testing, we will provide a clear estimate before proceeding.
As a registered CDCP provider, we accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan for these diagnostic exams. The CDCP covers these screenings as essential preventive care, often covering 60% to 100% of the cost, depending on your specific eligibility. We also provide direct billing for private insurance to keep the process straightforward.
Protect Your Smile and Overall Health with a Simple Screening
Prevention is about more than just your teeth. A quick assessment of your mouth’s soft tissues is one of the most critical parts of your visit. If it has been more than six months since your last professional screening, contact Saba Dental Centre today to book an oral cancer screening in London, ON.
