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Oral Cancer Screening In Ottawa
A Few Minutes That Could Save Your Life
Oral cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when caught early, and one of the most dangerous when it is not. The problem is that it often develops silently, with no obvious pain or discomfort in its early stages, making regular professional screenings essential. At Inova Dental, oral cancer screening is included as part of every comprehensive exam at both of our Ottawa locations. It is quick, completely painless, and takes just a few minutes.
What Is Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer screening is a visual and physical examination of the soft tissues in and around your mouth, performed by your dentist or dental hygienist during a routine dental visit. The goal is to identify any abnormal tissue changes, lesions, or suspicious areas as early as possible, before they develop into more serious or difficult-to-treat conditions.
Oral cancer can develop in the mouth, lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, palate, throat, and floor of the mouth. When detected at an early stage, the survival rate is significantly higher. When detected late, outcomes are far more serious. Regular screenings are one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health.
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone can develop oral cancer, including people with no obvious risk factors. However, certain factors increase the likelihood:
- Tobacco use of any kind, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco
- Heavy alcohol use, particularly when combined with tobacco
- Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is increasingly linked to oropharyngeal cancers, particularly in younger patients without traditional risk factors
- A diet low in fruits and vegetables
- Prolonged sun exposure affecting the lips
- A weakened immune system
- A previous diagnosis of oral cancer
- Age, with risk increasing significantly after 40
It is important to note that HPV-associated oral cancers are increasingly common and often occur in younger patients who do not smoke or drink heavily. This is one of the reasons regular screening is recommended for all adults, not just those with obvious risk factors.
Warning Signs to Watch For Between Appointments
In addition to your regular screenings, you should contact us promptly if you notice any of the following:
- A sore, ulcer, or lesion in the mouth that does not heal within two weeks
- Red or white patches anywhere in the mouth
- A lump, thickening, or rough spot on the lips, gums, or inside the mouth
- Persistent unexplained pain or soreness in the mouth or throat
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue
- A feeling that something is caught in the throat
- Numbness or loss of feeling in any area of the mouth
- Swelling or a lump in the neck
- Chronic hoarseness or a change in the voice
These symptoms do not necessarily mean cancer is present, but they should always be assessed promptly by a dental or medical professional.
How Often Should You Be Screened?
It is recommended that adults over the age of 20 be screened every three years. Adults over the age of 40 should be screened annually. For patients with risk factors such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, or a history of HPV, annual screening is strongly recommended regardless of age. Screening can be conveniently scheduled alongside your regular dental checkup so no additional visits are required.
The Oral Cancer Screening Process at Inova Dental
Health History and Questions
Your dentist will begin by asking about any symptoms you have experienced, such as persistent mouth sores, difficulty swallowing or speaking, or chronic hoarseness. We will also ask about lifestyle habits such as tobacco and alcohol use and any relevant family or medical history. This helps us understand your risk profile and focus the examination appropriately.
Visual Examination
Your dentist performs a thorough visual examination of your mouth, including the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks, palate, throat, and floor of the mouth. We look for any changes in colour, texture, or shape of the tissues, as well as any visible lesions, sores, red patches, white patches, or areas that appear unusual.
Physical Palpation
Your dentist will gently feel the tissues inside your mouth, along your jaw, under your chin, and the lymph nodes in your neck, checking for any lumps, swelling, thickening, or abnormal growths that may not be visible to the eye.
Advanced Screening if Needed
If any area looks or feels unusual, we may use a VELscope or ViziLite device to examine it more closely. These handheld devices use fluorescence visualisation technology to reveal cellular, structural, or metabolic abnormalities in soft tissue that may not be visible under normal light. The exam takes approximately two minutes and is completely painless.
Discussion and Next Steps
If everything looks normal, we note the findings in your chart and continue monitoring at future visits. If anything suspicious is identified, we will explain clearly what we have found and recommend next steps, which may include a follow-up appointment, a photograph for monitoring, or a referral to a specialist for further assessment. A suspicious finding at a screening does not mean you have cancer, but it does mean it needs to be investigated promptly.
What Is VELscope Screening?
VELscope is a handheld wireless screening device that uses fluorescence visualisation technology to detect abnormalities in the soft tissues of the mouth that are not visible to the naked eye. When a blue light is shone into the mouth, healthy tissue fluoresces in a distinctive way while abnormal tissue, including precancerous and cancerous cells, appears dark. This allows for earlier identification of suspicious areas than a visual exam alone can provide.
The VELscope exam takes around two minutes and is painless. It does not replace a thorough visual and physical examination but adds an additional layer of detection that can make a meaningful difference in early diagnosis.
Breath Analysis
At Inova Dental, we are one of the only dental clinics in Ottawa to offer breath analysis as part of our oral health assessment. Your breath can reveal a surprising amount about what is happening inside your mouth and body. Certain patterns of bad breath, also known as halitosis, are directly linked to gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, and other oral health conditions that may not yet be visible during a standard examination.
Using breath analysis, we are able to identify the underlying cause of halitosis rather than simply treating the symptom, and determine an effective, targeted course of treatment. If you have been struggling with persistent bad breath and have not been able to find a solution, this is a service that can make a real difference.
Benefits of Regular Oral Cancer Screening
- Early detection when treatment is most effective and survival rates are highest
- Completely painless and takes only a few minutes
- Can be performed during your regular dental checkup with no extra visit required
- Identifies precancerous changes before they progress to cancer
- Provides peace of mind and an opportunity for early intervention
- Particularly important for patients with known risk factors
How Much Does Oral Cancer Screening Cost in Ottawa?
Oral cancer screening is included as part of a comprehensive dental examination at Inova Dental. There is no separate charge for the visual and physical component of the screening. VELscope enhanced screening may be billed separately depending on your insurance coverage.
Oral cancer screening is covered under most dental insurance plans as part of a comprehensive exam. It is also covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible patients. We offer direct billing to most major insurance providers.
Why Choose Inova Dental for Oral Cancer Screening in Ottawa?
- Included in Every Exam: We screen every patient at every comprehensive visit as a standard part of our care.
- Advanced Technology: We use VELscope fluorescence technology to detect abnormalities that visual examination alone may miss.
- Breath Analysis: We are one of the only dental clinics in Ottawa to offer breath analysis as part of our oral health assessment. Rather than guessing at the cause of persistent bad breath, we analyse and diagnose it directly so we can recommend a treatment that actually works.
- Early Intervention: We take every suspicious finding seriously and act quickly to ensure you get the follow-up you need.
- CDCP Accepted: Eligible patients can use their Canadian Dental Care Plan benefits at both of our Ottawa locations.
- Multilingual Team: Our staff speaks English, French, and Arabic, so nothing gets lost in translation.
- Two Convenient Ottawa Locations: Visit us on Innes Road or Bank Street, Monday through Saturday.
Oral Cancer Screening FAQs
Is oral cancer screening painful?
No. Oral cancer screening is completely painless. The visual and physical examination involves your dentist looking at the soft tissues of your mouth and gently feeling the jaw and neck for abnormalities. If a VELscope exam is used, it involves a brief, painless exposure to fluorescent light and takes about two minutes.
How often should I be screened for oral cancer?
Adults over 20 are recommended to be screened every three years. Adults over 40 should be screened annually. Patients with risk factors such as tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, or a history of HPV should be screened annually regardless of age. Screening can be done at the same appointment as your regular dental checkup.
Can I get oral cancer if I don't smoke or drink?
Yes. While tobacco and alcohol are significant risk factors, HPV-associated oral cancers are increasingly common and often occur in younger patients without these traditional risk factors. Anyone can develop oral cancer, which is why screening is recommended for all adults, not just those with obvious risk factors.
What happens if something suspicious is found?
A suspicious finding does not mean you have cancer. Your dentist will explain what has been observed and recommend next steps, which may include monitoring the area at a follow-up appointment, taking a photograph to track any changes, or referring you to a specialist for a biopsy or further assessment. Early investigation is always the right approach.
What is VELscope?
VELscope is a handheld device that uses fluorescence visualisation technology to detect abnormalities in the soft tissues of the mouth that may not be visible to the naked eye. It shines a blue light into the mouth and identifies areas where tissue fluoresces abnormally, which can indicate precancerous or cancerous changes. The exam takes about two minutes and is completely painless.
What is breath analysis and why does Inova Dental offer it?
Breath analysis is a diagnostic assessment that identifies the underlying cause of persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis. At Inova Dental, we are one of the only dental clinics in Ottawa to offer this service. Rather than treating bad breath as a cosmetic issue, we analyse it to determine whether it is linked to gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, or another oral health condition, and recommend a targeted course of treatment accordingly.
Is oral cancer screening covered by insurance?
Oral cancer screening is typically covered as part of a comprehensive dental examination under most insurance plans. It is also covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible patients. VELscope enhanced screening may be billed separately depending on your specific plan. Our team offers direct billing and will check your coverage before your appointment.
What should I do if I notice a sore in my mouth that won't heal?
Contact us as soon as possible. A mouth sore that does not heal within two weeks should always be assessed by a dental professional. While most are benign, any persistent sore, patch, or lump in the mouth warrants prompt examination. Early assessment is always better than waiting.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Oral cancer is highly treatable when caught early. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before getting screened. Our team at Inova Dental screens every patient at every comprehensive exam, and we are welcoming new patients at both of our Ottawa locations.