Appletree Dental believes that prevention is better than a cure. We care about the overall health of each and every one of our patients. For this reason, we have incorporated the VELscope® – Oral Cancer Screening System into our dental practice, as an added tool to our conventional visual oral cancer examinations.
Oral cancers have doubled and tripled in the last 10-12 years. It is one of the few types of cancer that has not seen a significant reduction in incidence over the past thirty years. Recent research has shown a strong association with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Oral cancer is typically discovered in late stages, when the five-year survival rate is only 22%. If detected in early stages, however, the five-year survival rate is 80% or higher.
The VELscope® System assists dentists and hygienists in discovering cancerous or precancerous growths that may not be apparent to the naked eye. A screening with the VELscope® System adds only one or two minutes to a conventional visual examination, it is completely free of any pain or discomfort.
Please note: many insurance companies do not cover the cost of these screenings. If your insurance does not provide coverage, the charge for this procedure is $10.00. We appreciate you taking the time to read this important information, and thank you for your cooperating with us to ensure your continued health.