Amy,
I am so glad you had a good experience with your dentist. I now go to my Mom's dentist who also has been doing oral screenings regularly forever and if we go every six months, like we and everyone else should, this may help with early detection for most of us.
I'm not saying ALL dentists don't do screenings but it is a lot less than the 90% the NJ Dental Association says it is. If they were right, then why hasn't the number of oral cancer patients declined over the years. It is still the same mortality rate. That proves they aren't "kicking it up a notch."
Again, this is a "me generation" and if it's just another thing to add to their dental routine, maybe most can't be bothered. Someday they will learn, we hope!
Thanks for your post and your prognosis seems to be very optimistic??? Kudos to your dentist!!!
Lisa