Oral Cancer Screening in Calgary
Oral cancer can develop silently and progress rapidly. A brief, painless screening at every check-up gives you the best chance of catching any abnormality early, when treatment is most effective.
What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?
Oral cancer includes cancers of the mouth, lips, tongue, throat and nearby tissues. When it is found early, oral cancer is highly treatable. When it is found at an advanced stage, it becomes significantly more difficult to manage.
At Olympic Park Smiles Dental, we perform a thorough oral cancer screening at every routine check-up. If you are looking for oral cancer screening in Calgary SW, you will find it is built into your visit. The examination takes just a few minutes, looks for any unusual changes in the tissues of your mouth and comes at no extra cost to you.
Who Should Be Screened
Screening is recommended for all patients, especially those with higher risk factors such as:
- Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco.
- Regular or heavy alcohol use.
- A history of HPV infection.
- Frequent sun exposure to the lips.
- A personal or family history of cancer.
Signs to Watch For
Between visits, book an exam if you notice any of the following:
- A sore or ulcer that does not heal within two weeks.
- A lump, thickened area or rough spot in the mouth or neck.
- White or red patches on the gums, tongue or cheeks.
- Numbness or ongoing pain in the mouth or lips.
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving the jaw or tongue.
What Is Included
- A painless, brief examination at every check-up.
- A check of your lips, tongue, floor of mouth, throat and cheeks.
- Identification of unusual lumps, sores or colour changes.
- Prompt referrals for further testing when needed.
- Patient education on risk factors and early warning signs.
Why Choose Olympic Park Smiles Dental for Your Screening
- Early detection: most oral cancers are highly treatable when caught early, and regular screening gives you the best chance of a positive outcome.
- Fast and painless: the screening is included in your routine check-up and takes only a few minutes, with no special preparation required.
- Peace of mind: regular screening reassures you that your mouth is healthy, and that any changes are being monitored by a professional.
- A three-doctor team: Dr. Lissandre Colbran, Dr. Brendan Kalin and Dr. Kevin Kalin.
- A 4.9 Google rating from more than 120 five-star reviews.
What to Expect at Your Visit
- 01A quick conversation. We ask about your health history and any changes you have noticed.
- 02A visual check. Your dentist looks carefully at your lips, cheeks, gums, tongue, floor of mouth and throat.
- 03A gentle touch exam. Your dentist feels the tissues of your jaw and neck for lumps or tenderness.
- 04Clear feedback. We tell you what we see and answer your questions.
- 05A plan if needed. If anything looks unusual, we explain the next steps.
Related Treatments
- Teeth Cleaning and Check-Ups: your screening is included in your routine check-up.
- Family Dentist: regular care for every member of your family.
- Emergency Dentist: time reserved for urgent visits if you have mouth pain or swelling.
- Read our guide: Olympic Park Dentist Discusses Everyday Dental Problems and Early Signs in Calgary
Cost of Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screening is included in your routine check-up at no extra cost to you. If further testing or a referral is needed, we will explain the next steps and the costs involved. Call us at (403) 300-2224 with any questions. You can also visit our Financial Options section, or read about the Canadian Dental Care Plan on our CDCP page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We perform an oral cancer screening at every routine check-up. It takes just a few minutes, is painless and comes at no extra cost to you.
Common signs include a sore that does not heal, a lump or thickened area, white or red patches, ongoing numbness or pain and trouble chewing or swallowing. These signs can have other causes, but they are worth having checked promptly.
Anyone can develop oral cancer, and screening is recommended for all patients. People who smoke, use tobacco, drink alcohol regularly or have had HPV have a higher risk and should be especially consistent with their check-ups.
We explain exactly what we have seen and what it might mean. If further testing is needed, we make a prompt referral so you can get answers quickly. Finding a change does not mean you have cancer, and early attention gives the best outcomes.
We screen at every routine check-up, which for most patients is about every six months. If you have higher risk factors or have noticed a change, tell us and we may recommend checking more often.
Book Your Appointment
Ready to book your appointment? Call us at (403) 300-2224 or book online. We're welcoming new patients.