VELscope

Oral cancer screening is routinely performed by dentists during regular dental visits. In addition to a manual evaluation, Dr. Barnard uses a screening device called a VELscope®. This painless, non-invasive tool can be used to see potentially harmful abnormalities in the tissue of your mouth that your dentist can't spot. The result? Detecting oral cancers that otherwise might not be found. 

VELscope is an FDA-approved early oral cancer screening detection device. It is not a replacement for the traditional oral exam performed by your dentist, but a tool used in combination. VELscope allows your dentist to see abnormalities in the tissues in your mouth that aren't visible to the human eye, those below the surface that your dentist can't see yet.

Dr. Barnard begins an oral cancer screening by performing an examination of your neck, lymph glands, cheeks, tongue and lips. He will then use the hand-held VELscope device to check inside your mouth for suspicious-looking tissue. VELscope emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity, which excites the tissue, causing it to fluoresce. Abnormal tissue typically appears as an irregular, dark area that stands out against the otherwise normal, green fluorescence pattern of surrounding healthy tissue.

The VELscope screening takes one or two minutes and does not require any special rinses or stains. To learn more, schedule an appointment with our office today.