Early Detection
Why Is Oral Cancer Screening
So Important at
Every Dental Exam in Calgary?
Oral cancer is highly treatable when caught early — yet it is often diagnosed at a late stage because early lesions can be painless and go unnoticed. A 5-year survival rate above 80% for early-stage disease drops to under 40% when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes. At Royal Oak Smiles, every comprehensive exam includes a thorough visual and tactile screening of the entire oral cavity and neck — giving the best chance of finding anything abnormal before it progresses.
Screening Steps
What Does a Thorough Oral Cancer
Screening Check at Royal Oak Smiles?
Soft-Tissue Inspection
Your dentist systematically examines the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and palate for unusual patches, lumps, or sores.
Throat Assessment
The back of the throat and tonsil area are checked for irregular tissue, discolouration, or growths that may indicate early changes.
Lymph Node Palpation
The neck and jaw lymph nodes are gently felt for enlargement or tenderness — a possible sign of an immune response to abnormal tissue.
Follow-Up & Referral
If anything suspicious is found, we explain our findings clearly and arrange a prompt referral to the appropriate specialist for further evaluation.
Accepting new patients. Open 7 days a week in Royal Oak, NW Calgary. Call to book →
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
About Oral Cancer Screening in Calgary
An oral cancer screening at Royal Oak Smiles is a systematic visual and tactile examination of the entire oral cavity and surrounding structures. The dentist examines the lips, tongue (top, bottom, and sides), cheeks, floor of the mouth, palate, tonsil area, and throat for unusual patches, lumps, sores, or discolouration. The jaw and neck lymph nodes are gently palpated for tenderness or enlargement. The screening takes approximately 5 minutes and is included at every comprehensive exam.
All adults should have an oral cancer screening at their regular dental exam. Higher-risk individuals include those who smoke or use smokeless tobacco, drink alcohol heavily, have a history of HPV (human papillomavirus) infection, have had significant sun exposure to the lips, or have a previous history of oral cancer. However, a growing proportion of oral cancers — particularly HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers — are being diagnosed in patients with no traditional risk factors, which is why universal screening at every exam is important.
If the dentist identifies a suspicious lesion or abnormality during your screening at Royal Oak Smiles, they will explain the finding clearly and arrange a prompt referral to an oral surgeon or appropriate specialist for further evaluation and biopsy if needed. Early-stage oral cancer has a 5-year survival rate of over 80%. The same lesion detected at a late stage drops to under 40% — which is why timely follow-up of any finding is critical.
Oral cancer screening is typically included as part of a comprehensive dental examination at Royal Oak Smiles, which is covered by most Alberta dental insurance plans. There is no separate charge for the screening itself. Most insurance plans cover a comprehensive exam annually or biannually. Royal Oak Smiles direct-bills most major Alberta insurance providers. Call (403) 374-6161 to confirm your specific coverage.