The name may sound intimidating, but the VELScope (Visually Enhanced Lesion Scope) is an important screening device for aging adults to know.

Supported by the Canadian Dental Association, the VELScope is the leading tool used for oral cancer screening. Safe, quick and painless, this hand-held device has been proven effective in detecting this disease.

Oral Cancer: Who is at Risk?

It’s estimated that over 4,500 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer (mouth, lips, tongue and throat) each year. In many cases the cancer is not detected early enough, and approximately 25-30% of these cases are fatal.

Oral cancer can easily go unnoticed in its early stages. It can be painless but there are precursor tissue changes that a trained doctor can identify. Early detection of the disease can make all the difference when it comes to surviving oral cancer.

The majority of oral cancers can be linked to tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption. Other influences may be poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition and/or chronic infection. Men are affected twice as often as women, particularly from middle-age onward.

How the VELScope Works

VELScope uses a technology called “fluorescent visualization.” In simpler terms this means when a special blue-spectrum light is shone on the soft tissues of the mouth, it can cause them to ‘fluoresce.’ They have the ability to emit a light of their own, which is seen as a different colour from the healthy tissues in the mouth.

This technology helps dentists identify and pinpoint the location of abnormal tissue that otherwise might not be detected by the naked eye.

What to Expect

A light is shone into the mouth, allowing your dentist to examine the tissue. The VELScope assessment is completed in under five minutes. There is no rinse, dye or discomfort involved.

If an abnormal screen occurs, your dentist may run another scan or schedule a biopsy to further test the tissue.

If you fall into a high risk category for oral cancer, or have any concerns about this disease, please make an appointment with Dr. Bajwa.