In our continuing efforts to provide the most advanced technology and highest standard of care available to our patients, we are proud to annouce the inclusion of the Viszilite Plus exams as an integrel part of our annual comprehensive oral screening program.

One person dies every hour from oral cancer in the United States- and the mortality has remained unchanged for more than 40 years. Late detection of oral cancer is the primary cause that both yjr* incidence and mortality rates of oral cancer to increase. As with most other cancers, age is the primary risk factors for oral cancer. Though tobacco use is a major predisposing risk factor, 27% of oral cancer victims have no lifestyle reisk factors. According to the American Cancer society, more women in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year (12,000 cases) than will be diagnosed with cervical cancer (<10,000 cases), and there are as many cases of oral cancer caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV 16/18), a sexually transmitted disease, as there are HPV-related cases of cervical cancer.

Clinical studies have determined that using Vizilite Plus after the standard oral cancer examination improves the dental professional's ability to identify and evaluate suspicious areas at their earlist stages. Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentially disfiquring effects of oral cancer and possibly save your life. Proven screening technologies such as mammogram, Pap smear, PSA smear, PSA, and colonoscopy offer the same type of early detection of cancer. ViziLite Plus is an easy and painless examination that gives our practice the best chance to find any oral abnormalities you may have at the earliest possible stage.

Oral cancer risk by patient profile is listed below:

Increase Risk:  Patients age 19-39, sexually acitive patients (HPV 16/18).

High Risk: Patients age 40 and older: tobacco users young than age 40.

Highest risk:  Patients age 40 and older and lifestyle risk factors (tobacco use); 
                     patients with a history of oral cancer.

Dental insurance might not coverd this advance oral cancer screening as as additional to the standard visual examination.

Our pratice prescribes the ViziLite Plus exam for all patients at increaded risk, high risk and highes risk for oral cancer (adult patients age 18 and older and tobacco users of any ages). We will be performing the ViziLite Plus exam annually following the standard orc* cancer examination of the oral cavity for a fee of $60.