Oral Cancer Screening
Services provided by an Arizona licensed general dentist.
A five-minute screening could save your life. We check for early signs of oral cancer at every comprehensive exam.
5 Min
Quick, painless screening during your visit
84%
Survival rate when oral cancer is caught early
54K+
New oral cancer cases diagnosed in the US each year
What the Screening Includes
Our screening is thorough, painless, and takes just minutes. No special preparation is needed.
Visual Examination
Dr. Kaur carefully inspects your lips, tongue, cheeks, floor and roof of mouth, and throat for any unusual lesions, patches, or color changes.
Tissue Palpation
Gentle palpation of the jaw, neck, and oral tissues checks for lumps, swelling, or asymmetry that may not be visible.
Risk Assessment
We review your personal risk factors including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, HPV status, and sun exposure history.
Patient Education
Learn the warning signs to watch for at home, so you can alert us between visits if anything changes.
Annual Screening
We recommend annual screenings for all adults and more frequent checks for patients with elevated risk factors.
Early Referral
If we detect anything concerning, we coordinate a prompt referral to an oral surgeon or specialist for biopsy and evaluation.
Why Screening Matters
Oral cancer is highly treatable when caught early, yet many cases go undetected until advanced stages because patients don't experience pain in the early phases. Regular screenings close that gap.
Risk factors include tobacco and alcohol use, HPV infection, prolonged sun exposure, and a family history of cancer. However, about 25% of oral cancer cases occur in patients with no known risk factors, which is why we screen every adult patient.
At Kokopelli Dentistry, your screening is included as part of your comprehensive exam. If you notice any persistent sore, lump, or color change in your mouth between visits, contact us right away.