As usual, Brian has gotten here before me. As a dentist (thanks for the plug, Eileen), I can't agree more with Brian about the importance of finding a dentist that does a thorough oral cancer screening. Both of the lights that have been mentioned above are not a substitute for, but an adjunct to, a complete oral cancer exam.

Christine, you should ask on the phone if the dentist or hygienist does oral cancer screenings routinely, before you make an appointment. If the answer is yes, ask what the exam consists of. If the person answering the phone is vague, the chances are that the office is not doing a good oral cancer screening. If they are, you can be sure that the office staff would know about it. If in doubt, ask to speak to the dentist and/or hygienist.

I am a strong believer that anyone going to an office that doesn't do a screening, should find another dentist.

As Eileen said in her response, we do use the VELscope, which we feel adds another layer of security to our telling a patient that they are OK.

John,

The solution that the patient rinses with (ViziLite) is not a cleansing agent, but is used to dessicate the cells so that they will be visible with the light stick.

Jerry