Thanks Brian, for adding your knowledge about the differences between the two devices as well as all the background information. I knew I could count on you.

I would hope that any office that puts the VELscope into use is fully trained in vizual and palpation examinations as well. Your point about being able to diffentiate between normal and abnormal is well taken. One has to decide when a biopsy is needed and this has to be based on clinical as well as VELscope results.

When we started using the ViziLite system as well as the switch to the VELscope, we did it for the pure purpose of using it as a diagnostic aid and not for profit. We also decided that we would charge only enough to cover our costs. I know that there are offices charging as much as $65 for these exams. We started the ViziLite at $25 and have continued the VELscope at $25. I think that the combination of my history with oral cancer (which most patients are told about) as well as the small fee, have been the reason why I personally have had only 2 patients refuse to have the VELscope used.

I applaud Barbara for all that she does for early detection (and OCF) and know that her educational seminar in my office went a long way in helping my staff and me feel more confident in the way we do oral cancer screenings.


Jerry

Barb...when you have reason to come down South, please let me know, and I will get you an audience. I am serious!

Clearly I would like to endorse Barbs speaking engagements. For that matter, I have also given out Jerry's name and info to several looking for speakers as well. When you can get someone that is dentally educated like Barb or Jerry, who also brings their patient's perspective to the information, you have a powerful package. As to making money and doing good in the world, I do not see them as mutually exlusive things.

We are very blessed to have such knowledgeble people on our side. Thank you Brian, for a thoroughly defining explanation between the Vizilite and VELscope systems. We all appreciate it..now I have to get busy and find out which dental practices in our town have the VELscope system, by calling the company. Thanks again!
JaneP

Can I sk a question ...I may be wrong to ASSUME THIS ( as you know what they say ) But I was always under the impression the dental offices make a decent amount of money . if this is the case then $5000 for such a piece of equipment does not seem like such a big deal...Why wouldnt more offcies use it? I am not 100% positve but I am pretty sure when I say that I dont think many if any in our area use one .. I have called alot and brought brochues and spoke to them .( Now will do the same with the velscope brochure, try to get them to get more info) But most in our area dont even have info on the disease..Just wondering and I am sure there is no straight answer.

Shar,

That is an interesting statement and question. I think the problem is not really about money, although in some practices, that may be a factor. What most people don't realize is that the overhead of the average dental practice can be in the neighborhood of 60% to 65%. For someone starting out, this could be a very big problem and add to that, paying off an expensive four year post college education.

But, putting that all aside, I think the problem is:

1. A lack of education in the correct procedures for doing a thorough oral cancer screening and

2. Knowing about supplemental devices that are available to the profession to accomplish that goal.

The VELscope was introduced to the profession less than 1 year ago and I would guess that there are not many dentists that know about it's existence. I don't think that I would have known about it yet, if I were not involved in oral cancer the way I am.

I just called my rep (in Chicago) and found out the following:

1. Their advertising is currently running in about 3 dental magazines

2. They promote the light through dental supply companies.

3. They do have a brochure that could be given to a dentist. He is emailing a PDF file to me and sending one in the mail. I will get back to this thread with more info after I receive the brochure.

He was very excited about the interest that our members are showing in the VELscope. He has promised to keep me abreast of what is happening in their promotions department and is going to have their new advertising person get in touch with me.

Jerry

I think Jerry has hit this at the right angle. The device is very new and the company is small and just starting to get out into the marketplace. MOST IMPORTANTLY, this is an adjunctive device - and while it aguments a good examination, potentially finding something that might get missed, it is not going to be a substitute for that non complacent dentist, who does a thorough, and knowledgeable visual and wet finger tactile examination. This device is not going to change to world. Involved dentists and hygienists will, with or without the device.

In the next couple of years, salivary diagnostics is poised to deal with the MASS screening of the population, done without a doctor, which will screen out the "at risk" population, who will THEN be on routine recalls to a real doctor/dentist who will be carefully looking (perhaps with a device) for the first manifestations of disease, as hopefully a pre cancer. People will then be caught at stages when survival is greatest and morbidity associated with treatments is the lowest.

But ,, It wouldnt hurt for me to bring around the brochure that I have printed of line as well as a list of the dental supply companies who carry this Velscope. As you said it is fairly new so I could help get the word out , atleast give them a heads up and somthing to think about and check into. Along with that I have printed out the Diag on a complete oral screening ( one of the links you posted Jerry) AS you said some just are educated or aware enough. SO the more info I can give them the better off they and others will be ...And IF I have some that are interested Jerry Maybe I could have your reps Name and number to give them so they feel they have a CONTACT to speak with , even though there is a number on thte brochure .

Shar

I still have not received any brochures either by email or in the mail.

I don't know how many reps there are, but I assume there are not many, so I think the best contact would be through the company phone number.

Jerry

That's because they are so far behind the 8 ball they have not printed one. I am working with their agency in Chicago to remedy this giving them some ideas and fact checking what they are producing. Don't hold your breath for too long on this, they just got started.