oral cancer screening

An oral cancer screening performed by a dentist is a painless exam that can detect early signs of oral cancer. It’s usually performed during a routine dental checkup and usually takes just a few minutes.

During the screening, a dentist or dental hygienist will:
-Check the lips, mouth, throat, neck, and face for signs of cancer 
-Look for red or white patches, sores, lumps, or other abnormalities 
-Feel the tissues in the mouth for lumps 
-Examine the tongue at rest and while protruded 
-Depress the tongue to examine the soft and hard palates 

If the dentist finds anything suspicious, they may recommend additional tests or refer the patient to a specialist.