Oral Cancer Screening in Roncesvalles, Toronto
Early screening by a compassionate dental team using advanced VELscope technology.
- Quick and painless screening
- Identifies suspicious tissue changes early
- Most insurance plans and CDCP accepted
What is Oral Cancer Screening?
During screening, your dentist checks for persistent sores, colour changes, lumps, and unusual tissue texture on the lips, tongue, gums, cheeks, roof or floor of the mouth, and throat. At Gleam Dental®, we use VELscope, a handheld device that uses blue light to help spot abnormal tissue and early signs that could be linked to oral cancer.
Symptoms to Mention During Your Visit
- Persistent numbness or pain
- Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
- Trouble chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- Teeth that become loose without an obvious cause
- A hoarse voice or lingering sore throat
What to Expect:
Oral Cancer Screening
How Often is Oral Cancer Screening Recommended?
Tell us if any of these apply:
- Tobacco use, including cigarettes, cigars, and chewing tobacco
- Regular alcohol use, especially with tobacco
- HPV, linked to a growing share of throat cancers
- Past oral cancer or precancerous patches
We screen at every checkup and recommend exams every 6 months. You can also book a screening anytime.
Check If Oral Cancer Screening Is Covered by Insurance
Led by founder Dr. Lidiya Zavalishina, our dentists and hygienists bring decades of combined clinical experience to Gleam Dental. Dr. Lidiya trained at McGill University and UConn and has completed over 1,000 hours of continuing education. Our dentists perform every oral cancer screening as part of your regular checkup.
Book Your Oral Cancer Screening in Roncesvalles
Every checkup at Gleam Dental includes a VELscope screening. You can also book one on its own. We direct bill most insurance providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
VELscope highlights areas where tissue has lost its normal fluorescence, which can signal precancerous changes or early oral cancer. Researchers at the BC Cancer Agency found the device helped reveal high-risk changes that regular light did not show. If an area needs further testing, our team will guide you through a referral to a specialist for a biopsy.
An abnormal result shows an area that needs a closer look, and it does not confirm cancer. Our dentist charts the area and may recheck it at a follow-up visit. Persistent or suspicious areas lead to a specialist referral for a biopsy.
The screening causes no pain and involves no needles, rinses, or tissue removal. Our dentist shines a handheld blue light into your mouth and views the tissue through a special filter. The screening takes place during your regular checkup.
Coverage for VELscope depends on your individual dental plan. Gleam Dental direct bills most major insurance providers and accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Use our insurance checker to confirm your coverage before your visit.
Book online in 4 easy steps or call our office at 437.292.4309. Our clinic is located at 430 Roncesvalles Avenue, Unit 109, Toronto, just 7 minutes from Dundas West Station. Complimentary underground parking is available for all our patients.
