Free Oral Cancer Screenings
Offered in April at WestBay Dental, PC

April 17, 2011       Leave a Comment
By: Ken Nelson, DDS, Dentistry

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April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and West Bay Dental, PC is offering free oral cancer screenings for the month of April.


Oral cancer is one of the few types of cancer that hasn't experienced a significantly reduced morality rate in the past 30 years. In fact, the number of North Americans developing oral cancer is three times the number who develops cervical cancer. Sadly, one North American dies of oral cancer every hour of every day. The problem -- about 70% of the time oral cancer is discovered in the late stages. By the time a lump is felt or a lesion develops it is simply too late.

In the early stages of oral cancer's development, it often is painless, and the physical signs may not be obvious. This makes it a very dangerous disease. Regular screenings by a qualified medical or dental professional, combined with a person's knowledge of the warning signs and symptoms, will allow its discovery in the earliest possible stages, when cure and survival are most likely. Even pre-cancerous tissue changes can be detected by a trained professional.



Fortunately, the survival rate for oral cancer discovered at early stages is extremely high. That is why it is so important that you have an oral cancer screening once a year, or twice a year if you smoke or chew tobacco. Health experts recommend that all patients age 14 and older receive annual oral cancer screenings. Because of the importance of early detection our practice has recently invested in a state-of-the-art VELscope system. As part of our conventional oral cancer examination, the VELscope can help us to see beneath the surface to detect potentially dangerous growths we might have otherwise missed.

The VELscope exam takes just a few minutes and for the month of April the screening is free. Please give our office a call for more details.



These children, 12 and under, scored a cavity free check-up at their last dental appointment. We congratulate them and their parents for practicing good oral health.

Special congratulations to Ashtyn Pyscher, who was the winner in our children's no cavity drawing and to Austin Schmidt who won the gift card in our adult drawing.

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Ken Nelson, DDS, Dentistry
Dr. Nelson has served patients at West Bay Dental since 1985. Dr. Nelson provides most dental services with an emphasis on cosmetics, full mouth reconstruction, oral surgery and implants. More from Ken Nelson, DDS, Dentistry

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