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Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Screening

Early Detection Saves Lives

Oral Cancer Screening Explained

An oral cancer screening is a quick, painless examination that checks the soft tissues of your mouth, throat, lips, tongue, and neck for early signs of oral cancer and precancerous changes. Oral cancer is most treatable when caught early, yet it often develops without obvious symptoms in its earliest stages, which is why routine screening matters so much. At Drangsholt Dental, an oral cancer screening is included as part of your regular dental exam, so you are being checked at every visit without needing to schedule anything separate. During the screening, we visually inspect and gently feel the tissues of the mouth and neck, looking for unusual sores, red or white patches, lumps, thickening, or any area that does not look or feel normal. The entire process takes only a few minutes and requires no preparation. If we notice anything that warrants a closer look, we will explain what we found, document it, and recommend the appropriate next step, which may be a short follow-up to monitor the area or a referral for further evaluation. Early detection through routine screening can make a meaningful difference in outcomes.

How Treatment Works

01

Review

We review your health history and ask about any risk factors or changes you have noticed, such as sores that have not healed, persistent hoarseness, or areas of discomfort.

02

Examine

We visually inspect the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor and roof of the mouth, and throat, looking for discoloration, sores, or texture changes.

03

Palpate

We gently feel the tissues of the mouth, jaw, and neck to check for lumps, swelling, or firm areas that are not visible on the surface.

04

Advise

If everything looks healthy, we note it in your record for comparison next visit. If we find a concern, we explain it and recommend monitoring or referral as appropriate.

Oral Cancer Screening Approach

At Drangsholt Dental, we believe prevention and early detection are the most powerful tools in dentistry. We make oral cancer screening a standard part of every comprehensive exam rather than an add-on, because consistency is what catches changes early. We take time to know your mouth so that we can recognize when something has changed from one visit to the next. If we ever find an area of concern, we explain it clearly, without alarm, and walk you through exactly what happens next so you always feel informed and supported.

Frequently AskeD Questions

We believe informed patients make confident decisions. Below are some of the most common questions we receive about our practice and comprehensive care.

Who is at risk for oral cancer?
How often should I be screened?
How often should I have an oral cancer screening?
Who is at risk for oral cancer?
What are the warning signs of oral cancer?
How much does an oral cancer screening cost?
What happens if something is found during the screening?
Can oral cancer be prevented?
Why is early detection so important?

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9618 59th Ave SW
Lakewood, WA 98499

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