Oral Cancer Screenings
Complimentary Oral Cancer Screening for New Patients in Richmond, VA
At James River Family Dentistry, we want to understand your oral health from the very beginning, including looking for changes that may not cause noticeable symptoms on their own. That’s why every new patient receives a complimentary oral cancer screening as part of their initial visit with Dr. Guthrie.
Oral cancer can develop without causing pain or other obvious symptoms in its earliest stages. An oral cancer screening gives Dr. Guthrie an opportunity to examine the tissues in and around your mouth for changes that may need a closer look. While a screening does not diagnose cancer, identifying concerning changes early can help you receive appropriate follow-up care sooner.
Your screening is quick, painless and included as part of your new patient visit. It also gives Dr. Guthrie a starting point for understanding your oral health and monitoring it as part of your ongoing dental care.
If you’re looking for a Richmond dentist who takes a comprehensive, relationship-driven approach to your care, we’d love to welcome you to James River Family Dentistry.
What Is An Oral Cancer Screening?
An oral cancer screening is a quick, painless examination that we perform for new patients during their dental visit. The purpose of the screening is for us to be able to identify any abnormal changes in the tissues of your mouth that could indicate oral cancer or another condition that could require further evaluation. During your screening, Dr. Guthrie will carefully examine your:
Dr. Guthrie will look for any unusual sores, discoloration, lumps, patches, swelling or other abnormalities that may not be visible or noticeable to you. Most screenings take only a few minutes but can play an important role in protecting your health.
Advanced Oral Cancer Screening With VELscope® Vx
With oral cancer cases on the rise, Dr. Guthrie uses advanced VELscope® Vx technology as an additional tool during oral cancer screenings at James River Family Dentistry. Along with standard intraoral and extraoral head examinations, VELscope Vx helps identify changes in the oral tissues that may indicate precancerous or cancerous lesions.
See VELscope® in Action
How Does VELscope Vx Work?
VELscope Vx uses a safe blue light to illuminate the soft tissues inside the mouth. Healthy and abnormal tissues can respond differently to this light, helping Dr. Guthrie more easily identify areas that may require a closer look or further evaluation.
The screening is quick, non-invasive and painless and can help reveal oral mucosal changes that may not be as noticeable during a traditional visual examination alone. While VELscope Vx does not diagnose oral cancer, it provides Dr. Guthrie with an additional level of visualization when evaluating the health of your mouth.
Early detection plays an essential role in improving the chances of successfully treating oral cancer, which is why regular screenings are an important part of preventative dental care.
Your Oral Cancer Screening In Richmond Va
When you become a new patient at James River Family Dentistry, your first visit includes a comprehensive exam, necessary X-rays and a complimentary oral-cancer screening. Dr. Guthrie takes time to get to know your oral health, look for potential concerns and establish a baseline for your care. That includes a complimentary oral cancer screening as part of your initial visit.
Meet Dr. Marci Guthrie
Dr. Guthrie has been caring for dental patients for more than 20 years. She earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at VCU. She continues to pursue advanced education and is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.
With this experience and a relationship-driven approach to dentistry, Dr. Guthrie looks beyond your teeth and gums to consider your overall oral health. An oral cancer screening is a simple but important part of that process.
Why Early Detection Matters
Oral cancer is often easier to treat when it is identified in its earliest stages, which is why routine screenings are such an important part of your health. Unfortunately, many don’t experience pain or obvious symptoms until the disease has progressed, making regular screenings helpful for early detection.
According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, close to 60,500 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer every year. This is yet another reason why routine oral cancer screenings are such an important part of preventative care. Attending regular screenings gives our team the opportunity to look for any subtle changes that might require additional evaluation so that we can identify concerns as early as possible.
Dr. Guthrie will look for any unusual sores, discoloration, lumps, patches, swelling or other abnormalities that may not be visible or noticeable to you. Most screenings take only a few minutes but can play an important role in protecting your health.
Who Should Receive Oral Cancer Screenings?
Oral cancer screenings are beneficial for adults of all ages. While certain individuals have a higher risk of developing oral cancer, the disease can affect people with no obvious risk factors at all.
You may have an increased risk if you:
Even if none of these risk factors apply to you, routine screenings remain an important part of maintaining your oral health. Because some patients develop oral cancer without any known risk factors, regular examinations are recommended as part of preventative dental care.
While many cases of oral cancer produce few or no symptoms during the early stages, there are certain warning signs that should never be ignored.
These may include symptoms such as:
These symptoms do not automatically mean someone has oral cancer, but they should always be evaluated by a dental or medical professional.
Your Complimentary Screening As A New Patient
At James River Family Dentistry, your health is always our top priority. That’s why your complimentary oral cancer screening is included with your initial new patient visit. After you’ve established care with James River Family Dentistry, Dr. Guthrie may continue to evaluate your oral tissues during routine dental visits as part of your ongoing care. Any additional services or evaluations that may be recommended can be discussed with you before moving forward.
Rather than requiring new patients to schedule a separate appointment or pay an additional fee, our team believes this important preventative screening should be a standard part of your dental care.
Our commitment to comprehensive dentistry means looking beyond cavities and gum disease to evaluate your complete oral health. After your new patient visit, we may recommend oral cancer screenings as part of your ongoing dental care. By monitoring changes over time, we’re able to recommend additional evaluation whenever necessary.
It’s one more way we’re dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care while helping you stay proactive about your health.
FAQS About Oral Cancer And Screenings
Schedule Your Complimentary Oral Cancer Screening In Richmond Va. With Us Today!
Protecting your oral health means providing care that goes beyond your teeth and gums. At James River Family Dentistry, we’re committed to providing comprehensive preventative treatment that supports your overall well-being, and that includes a complimentary oral cancer screening during your new patient visit.
Whether you’re a new patient or have been visiting our practice for years, Dr. Marci Guthrie and our compassionate team are here to help you maintain a healthy smile through personalized, patient-focused care. We believe prevention and early detection are essential to your long-term oral health.
If you’re a new patient, request an appointment with James River Family Dentistry today to receive your complimentary oral cancer screening as part of your initial visit. We look forward to partnering with you to keep your smile healthy while providing the exceptional dental experience Richmond families have trusted for years.
Ready To Get Started?
giving you the elevated dental care experience you deserve
Dr. Guthrie and her team are ready to provide you with top-notch dental services within a pristine and expertly managed setting. We aim to ensure that patients of all ages feel at ease and self-assured during their dental visits. Ready to schedule an appointment with JRFD?
