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Oral Cancer Screening in Valley Village, CA

Early detection that could save your life.

Oral cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Every exam at Rite Dentist includes a visual and tactile screening for suspicious lesions, tissue changes, and early warning signs. Call (818) 766-7776.

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Call (818) 766-7776

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(818) 766-7776

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Mon – Fri · 9 AM – 6 PM

OFFICE LOCATION

12520 Magnolia Blvd, Suite 205

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Why screening matters

Caught Early, Oral Cancer Is Highly Survivable

Oral cancer is one of the most underdiagnosed cancers in the United States — in part because many people don’t think to ask about it at a dental appointment, and in part because its early signs are subtle and easy to overlook. When detected early, oral cancer has a survival rate above 80%. When diagnosed late, after it has spread to lymph nodes or other areas, that rate drops dramatically. This is why we make screening a standard part of every exam, every time.

Our oral cancer screening begins with a careful visual examination of all the soft tissues in and around your mouth — your lips, the inside of your cheeks, the roof and floor of your mouth, your tongue (including the underside and sides, which are common sites for early lesions), and your throat. We look for any areas of discoloration, ulceration, white or red patches, or tissue changes that look different from surrounding tissue.

We also perform tactile palpation — using our fingertips to feel the soft tissues of the mouth and the lymph nodes in your neck for any unusual firmness, swelling, or asymmetry. Cancerous and pre-cancerous changes are sometimes felt before they’re seen. This step takes just a minute but adds an important layer to the screening process.

Known risk factors include tobacco and alcohol use, HPV infection, prolonged sun exposure to the lips, and a prior history of oral or throat cancer. However, oral cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in patients with none of these traditional risk factors — which is all the more reason to screen everyone, every time. If we identify anything that warrants a closer look, we will explain what we found, discuss next steps, and refer you to the appropriate specialist if needed.

Common Questions

What patients ask about oral cancer screening

Is oral cancer screening painful?

Not at all. The screening is a gentle, non-invasive examination that involves looking at the tissues in your mouth and lightly feeling your neck and jaw for any abnormalities. It takes only a few minutes and causes no discomfort for most patients. There is nothing to fear, and many patients are surprised by how quickly it's completed.

Who is most at risk for oral cancer?

Tobacco users (smoking and smokeless tobacco) and heavy alcohol drinkers are at the highest risk. HPV — particularly strain 16 — is also a significant and growing risk factor, especially for throat and base-of-tongue cancers. Prolonged sun exposure to the lips and a prior history of any oral or pharyngeal cancer also increase risk. That said, oral cancer is appearing more frequently in people with none of these factors, so screening is important for everyone.

How often should I be screened?

We screen every patient at every exam — so if you're coming in twice a year, you're being screened twice a year. Patients with known risk factors or a prior history of oral lesions may benefit from more frequent monitoring. We track any findings from visit to visit so we can spot changes over time.

What happens if something suspicious is found?

We will tell you exactly what we observed, what it could indicate, and what we recommend. Many findings — like minor irritation or a healing ulcer — are benign and simply need to be monitored at a follow-up visit. If a lesion has concerning characteristics or hasn't healed within two to three weeks, we will refer you to an oral surgeon or ENT for a biopsy. Finding something suspicious is not a diagnosis — it's a prompt for appropriate next steps.

Is screening included in my regular exam?

Yes. Oral cancer screening is a standard part of every comprehensive and recall exam at Rite Dentist. There is no additional charge and no need to request it separately — we do it for every patient, every visit, as part of our commitment to your whole-body health.

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