Our Jacksonville, NC dental practice, conveniently located on Dolphin Drive near First Citizens Bank on the Western Boulevard Extension, utilizes some of the most advanced dental technology available today. We are excited to offer our patients screenings with the Identafi® Oral Cancer Screening System, which uses special fluorescent and reflective technology to enhance what our dentists can visualize as they screen your mouth for anomalies like cancer cells or other dysplasia that may not be visible to the naked eye.

This revolutionary technology allows us to spot the early signs of oral cancer, which means we can send you for further testing should our dentists spot something that needs investigation.

It’s a common misconception that cancers in the mouth are reserved for older adults. While most people diagnosed are in their mid-60s, young people are becoming more likely to develop these conditions than ever before. If you are a smoker, vaper, or heavy drinker, your risk is increased. Please read on to learn more about these conditions and how we detect them.

Startling Statistics About Oral Cancers

Here are numbers that indicate the prevalence of cancers of the oral structures:

Back in 2022, the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimated that 54,000 Americans were diagnosed with cancers affecting the mouth. Approximately 11,000 died from these conditions in 2022. In 2024, the Oral Cancer Foundation projected that by the end of the year, over 58,000 Americans would receive similar diagnoses, with about 12,250 of those cases resulting in death. These cancers currently account for 3% of all cancer cases in the country today, and unfortunately, those numbers are expected to rise. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, only about 57% of people newly diagnosed will be alive five years after diagnosis.

Oral cancers are more common in certain groups:

  • About 95% of oral cancers are in people aged 60
  • The average age of diagnosis is 64
  • Oral cancers are becoming more common in younger adults
  • Oral cancer is more than twice as common in men as in women
  • Approximately 75% are linked to behaviors that can be modified, like smoking, vaping, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Identafi® Oral Cancer Screening System

Henry Schein Dental is the premier manufacturer of innovative dental technology, and we are proud to use the Identafi® Oral Cancer Screening System at our Jacksonville, NC, comprehensive dentistry practice. This life-saving tool gives our dentists the best picture of your mouth, teeth, and gums ever delivered with dental technology. It’s a quick, pain-free way to see any cell abnormalities in their early stages. Your dentist will review his findings with you and discuss any next steps should something of concern be detected. Most of our patients get a clean bill of health following their screening with the Identafi® wand.

Identafi® will detect any abnormal cells in the:

  • Mouth
  • Tongue
  • Lips
  • Salivary Glands
  • Throat
  • Gums
  • Face
  • Mouth
  • Tongue
  • Lips
  • Salivary Glands
  • Throat
  • Gums
  • Face

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

During the oral cancer screening part of your dental exam, your dentist and dental hygienist will carefully inspect the maxillofacial and oral regions for signs of pathologic changes that need attention. We will look for:

  • Red patches and sores: On the floor of the mouth, the front and sides of the tongue, white or pink patches that bleed easily or fail to heal
  • Leukoplakia: A hardened white or gray lesion that can be anywhere in the mouth
  • Lumps: Soreness, lumps, and any thickening of tissue in the throat or mouth

Contact Us Today for Oral Cancer Screening

If you have never had an oral cancer exam, please call us today at (910) 353-5171. Oral cancer screening with revolutionary technology is the key to early detection. Once any anomaly is detected, your Jacksonville dentist will sit with you and discuss his findings. If you’d rather schedule online, please submit an online contact form, and one of our team members will contact you to answer questions or schedule you.