Oral cancer is one of the most serious — and most detectable — cancers. When caught early, the survival rate is dramatically higher. When caught late, the outcomes are far more difficult. That’s why oral cancer screening is a routine part of every comprehensive exam at Enhance Dental Centre.
This quick, painless check is something we take very seriously — because early detection is the most powerful tool we have against oral cancer.
Oral cancer screening is a visual and physical examination of your mouth, lips, tongue, gums, throat, and surrounding tissues. We look for any abnormal changes — suspicious lesions, red or white patches, unexplained lumps, or areas that look or feel unusual.
We may also use advanced tools like fluorescence imaging to identify changes not visible to the naked eye.
While anyone can develop oral cancer, certain factors increase risk:
Even without risk factors, regular screening is important — a significant percentage of oral cancers occur in people without obvious risk factors.
A: Not at all. The exam involves a careful visual inspection and gentle palpation of the tissues — quick and comfortable.
A: We include a basic oral cancer screening in every comprehensive exam — so if you’re visiting us regularly, you’re already being screened. Annual screening is the minimum recommendation.
A: Yes — dentists are often the first healthcare professionals to identify signs of oral cancer. Routine dental exams are one of the most effective ways to catch it early.
A: Common signs include white patches (leukoplakia), red patches (erythroplakia), ulcers that don’t heal, and unusual lumps or textures. Any change in your mouth that persists for more than 2 weeks should be evaluated.
A: Oral cancer screening performed as part of a comprehensive exam is generally covered. Advanced screening tools may have separate fees — we’ll let you know before proceeding.
Oral cancer screening is a quick, painless visual and physical exam of your mouth, tongue, gums, throat, and neck, looking for early signs of abnormal tissue before symptoms appear. We include it as part of your regular dental checkup at no extra step required.
The entire screening typically takes only a few minutes and is included as part of your routine dental exam, so there's nothing extra you need to schedule separately in most cases.
Smoking or using any form of tobacco significantly increases the risk of oral cancer.
Frequent, heavy alcohol consumption is an established risk factor, especially when combined with tobacco use.
Certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) are linked to a type of oral and throat cancer, particularly in younger adults.
Unprotected sun exposure over many years raises the risk of lip cancer specifically.
Risk generally increases with age, and a family history of cancer can also be a contributing factor.
Most mouth sores and irritations heal within one to two weeks. If you notice any of the following persisting longer than that, it's worth having it checked, even outside of a scheduled cleaning:
| Symptom | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| A sore or ulcer that doesn't heal within two weeks | Most normal mouth sores heal on their own within this window |
| A red or white patch inside the mouth | Persistent discoloration can indicate changes in the tissue worth evaluating |
| A lump or thickening in the cheek, gum, or neck | New lumps that don't resolve warrant a closer look |
| Numbness or pain in the mouth or lips without clear cause | Unexplained sensory changes can sometimes signal underlying issues |
| Difficulty swallowing, chewing, or moving the jaw or tongue | New functional changes are worth mentioning at your next visit |
For most patients, an oral cancer screening happens automatically at every routine dental checkup, generally every six months, since it's built into the standard exam. If you have elevated risk factors, such as tobacco or heavy alcohol use, your dentist may recommend being especially vigilant between visits and reaching out sooner if you notice any of the warning signs above.
Oral cancer screening is typically included as part of your regular dental exam and covered the same way your checkup is, under most Canadian dental insurance plans and the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible patients. See our insurance and financing page for details on coverage and direct billing.
Many early-stage oral cancers don't cause pain, which is part of why routine screening matters: a trained eye can spot subtle changes in color, texture, or shape well before a symptom would prompt you to book a visit on your own. Dentists see the inside of your mouth more regularly and more closely than almost anyone else, including areas that are hard to inspect yourself, like the back of the tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the soft palate.
If something is found during your screening, it does not mean a cancer diagnosis. Most unusual findings turn out to be benign, such as a minor irritation, a fibroma, or a reaction to a filling or denture edge. Your dentist will explain exactly what was seen and the recommended next step, whether that's simply monitoring it at your next visit or a referral to a specialist for further evaluation.
No. At our clinic, it's a visual and physical exam included as part of your standard checkup, with no extra equipment or separate appointment required.
Yes. If you're concerned about a specific symptom, mention it when booking and we can see you sooner rather than waiting for your next scheduled cleaning.
No. While risk increases with certain factors like tobacco and alcohol use or age, oral cancers, including HPV-related cases, can occur in younger, non-smoking adults as well, which is why screening is included for all patients.
Your dentist will discuss what was observed and, if needed, refer you to a specialist such as an oral surgeon or physician for a biopsy or further evaluation. Many findings turn out to be benign.
It's an effective first step for catching visible and palpable changes early, though it isn't a substitute for a biopsy if something suspicious is found. The goal is to flag anything unusual early enough to investigate further.
Book your next checkup at our Kitsilano clinic, and your oral cancer screening will be included as part of the visit.
Related: Preventive Dental Hygiene · Periodontal Surgery · Emergency Dental Care · Insurance & Financing
