.svg)
Oral Cancer Screening in South Barrington, IL
Thorough visual and tactile oral cancer screening at every comprehensive exam. Early detection saves lives. Advanced screening available on request.
.svg){kind=icon}
Oral Cancer Screening in South Barrington, IL
Oral cancer is diagnosed in roughly 54,000 Americans each year, and about 11,000 will die from it. The tragedy is that early detection can push 5-year survival rates above 80%, while late detection drops them below 40%. The difference is usually a matter of months, and almost always comes down to whether someone performed a proper screening. At South Barrington Dental Care, oral cancer screening is a standard part of every comprehensive exam, performed by Dr. Allison Bartley on every adult patient.
Oral cancer screening is painless, takes only a few minutes, and costs nothing extra because it is included in your comprehensive exam and cleaning. There is no reason not to have it done regularly.
What Is Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer refers to malignancies of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of mouth, palate, sinuses, and throat. The most common type is squamous cell carcinoma. Risk factors include:
- Tobacco use (smoking, chewing, or vaping)
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- HPV infection (particularly HPV-16)
- Sun exposure (lip cancer)
- Family history of cancer
- Age 40 and over
However, roughly 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors, which is why universal screening matters.
Benefits of Regular Screening
- Early detection dramatically improves survival rates
- Catch pre-cancerous lesions before they become cancerous
- Peace of mind
- Minimal time investment (takes only a few minutes)
- Typically covered at no additional cost as part of a comprehensive exam
- Allows baseline documentation of any existing lesions for monitoring
The Screening Process Step by Step
Step 1: Medical History Review. We ask about risk factors including tobacco and alcohol use, HPV vaccination status, and family cancer history.
Step 2: Visual Examination. Dr. Allison Bartley examines the lips, cheeks, tongue (top, sides, and underside), floor of mouth, palate, back of throat, and visible lymph node areas.
Step 3: Tactile Examination. Gentle palpation of the tongue, floor of mouth, and neck to feel for any unusual lumps, firmness, or asymmetry.
Step 4: Documentation. Any concerning findings are photographed and noted for follow-up monitoring.
Step 5: Follow-Up Plan. If a suspicious area is found, you may be asked to return in 2 weeks to see if it resolves on its own, or referred to an oral surgeon for biopsy.
Timeline
A standard screening takes 2-5 minutes and is included as part of your comprehensive exam. No additional appointment required. Advanced screening with additional technologies (when indicated) may take 10-15 minutes total.
Cost Factors
Oral cancer screening at South Barrington Dental Care is included in your comprehensive exam and cleaning at no additional charge. Most patients never see a separate line item for screening.
Some plans cover additional oral cancer detection technologies (such as OralID or VELscope fluorescence exams) separately. See our finance and insurance page for coverage details.
Risks and Limitations
False negatives are possible. No screening is 100% sensitive. Some early cancers may be missed, particularly those below the tissue surface or in hard-to-see areas.
False positives are possible. Benign lesions (canker sores, fibromas, lichen planus) can sometimes look suspicious. Follow-up in 2 weeks usually clarifies.
Not a substitute for self-awareness. Between visits, pay attention to any non-healing sore, red or white patch, persistent pain, numbness, or difficulty swallowing. Any of these lasting more than 2 weeks deserves evaluation.
Biopsy is definitive. Screening is not diagnosis. Anything suspicious must be biopsied by an oral surgeon or ENT for definitive diagnosis.
What to Watch For Between Visits
- A sore in the mouth that does not heal within 2 weeks
- White, red, or speckled patches on soft tissues
- Persistent lump or thickening
- Persistent ear pain, jaw pain, or difficulty swallowing
- Hoarseness lasting more than 2 weeks
- Numbness in the mouth or lips
- Unexplained bleeding in the mouth
If you notice any of these, call us at (847) 382-0700.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Screening
Every adult patient. Screening is appropriate for all adults 18 and over and is particularly important for patients with known risk factors. Children generally do not need screening unless they have specific risk factors or concerning findings.
Who Is NOT a Good Candidate
Screening is noninvasive and appropriate for virtually all adults. Patients with active lesions, recent oral surgery, or specific medical conditions may need modified screening protocols.
Comparison: Visual Screening vs. Advanced Screening Technologies
Visual and tactile screening by a trained dentist detects most clinically significant lesions. Advanced technologies (OralID, VELscope, brush biopsy) use fluorescence or cytology to identify suspicious areas that may not be visible to the naked eye.
- Visual/tactile screening: Included at every comprehensive exam, no extra cost, highly effective for visible lesions.
- Fluorescence screening: Optional add-on, useful for high-risk patients, may detect lesions earlier.
- Brush biopsy: Used to sample suspicious areas without a full surgical biopsy.
For most patients, thorough visual and tactile screening at regular intervals is sufficient. High-risk patients may benefit from adjunctive technologies.
Provider Authority
Dr. Allison Bartley performs every oral cancer screening personally. She is trained in systematic examination technique and uses the same protocol at every exam to ensure no area is overlooked. Read more about Dr. Bartley.
Serving the Northwest Suburbs
Patients from South Barrington, Inverness, Streamwood, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights come to us for comprehensive exams that include thorough screening.
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
.svg){kind=icon}
Common Questions About Oral Cancer Screening
How often should I be screened?
At every comprehensive exam, which for most patients means every 6 months. Patients with risk factors (tobacco, heavy alcohol, HPV) may benefit from more frequent screening.
Does oral cancer screening hurt?
No. The exam is entirely noninvasive — visual and gentle palpation only. Some patients have mild gagging when the tongue is examined, but this passes quickly.
What if something suspicious is found?
We typically recommend a 2-week follow-up to see if the lesion resolves. If it persists, you will be referred to an oral surgeon or ENT for biopsy. Most suspicious findings turn out to be benign, but biopsy is the only way to know for sure.
Is there a blood test for oral cancer?
Not currently. Oral cancer screening relies on clinical examination and, when indicated, tissue biopsy. There is no widely-used blood test.
Are dental practices required to screen?
Screening is considered standard of care but is not legally required. At South Barrington Dental Care, we consider it essential and do it for every adult patient at every comprehensive exam.
South Barrington Dental Care has been serving patients in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for years and has built a strong local reputation for comprehensive, patient-centered care. Dr. Allison Bartley leads the practice and the all-female clinical team.
Schedule A Screening at South Barrington Dental Care
Serving patients across South Barrington, Inverness, Streamwood, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights
.avif)