Oral Cancer Screening in Bayside, Queens
Oral cancer is highly treatable when caught early. We perform thorough oral cancer screenings at every comprehensive exam — a quick, painless step that can make a life-saving difference.
About This Treatment
Two minutes that could save your life.
Oral cancer has one of the highest survival rates of any cancer when diagnosed at an early stage — and one of the lowest when caught late. The five-year survival rate for early-stage oral cancer is approximately 83%; for cancer that has spread to lymph nodes, it drops to 38%. The challenge is that early oral cancer is frequently asymptomatic — no pain, no visible lump, no obvious sign. That's why professional screening at every dental exam isn't optional: it's the mechanism by which early-stage disease gets caught.
At Thrive Dental in Bayside, every comprehensive exam includes a structured oral cancer screening — visual examination of the lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, soft palate, cheeks, and throat, plus tactile palpation of the neck lymph nodes. We supplement this with VELscope fluorescence technology, which causes abnormal tissue to fluoresce differently than healthy tissue under a specific wavelength of light — making lesions visible that are completely invisible to the naked eye in normal light. Patients from Bayside, Whitestone, Fresh Meadows, and Little Neck who smoke, use smokeless tobacco, drink heavily, or have an HPV history should be especially diligent about annual screenings. But because 25% of oral cancers occur in people with no known risk factors, we screen every patient.
Key Benefits
What makes this treatment worth it.
Early Detection Saves Lives
Stage I oral cancer has an 83% survival rate. Early detection through routine screening is the single most effective way to improve outcomes.
VELscope Technology
Fluorescence imaging detects abnormal tissue that's invisible in normal light — catching lesions earlier than visual inspection alone.
Included at Every Exam
No separate appointment, no extra cost. Every comprehensive exam includes a complete oral cancer screening as standard.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know.
How often should I be screened for oral cancer?
We perform a visual oral cancer screening at every comprehensive exam. For most patients, that's once a year. High-risk patients — tobacco users, heavy drinkers, HPV history — may be seen more frequently.
What does an oral cancer screening involve?
We examine all soft tissues in and around your mouth, feel for lumps, check for discoloration, and use VELscope fluorescence technology to highlight tissue changes not visible in normal light. The entire screening takes 2–3 minutes.
What are the warning signs of oral cancer?
A sore that doesn't heal within 2 weeks, red or white patches, unexplained numbness or pain, difficulty swallowing, or a lump in the cheek or neck. If you notice any of these, call us right away.
Am I at risk for oral cancer?
Tobacco use, heavy alcohol consumption, prolonged sun exposure to lips, HPV infection, and family history all increase risk. However, 25% of oral cancers occur in people with no known risk factors — which is why we screen everyone.
What happens if something suspicious is found?
If we detect anything warranting further evaluation, we'll refer you to an oral surgeon or head and neck specialist for a biopsy. Finding a suspicious area doesn't mean it's cancer — but we take it seriously and investigate promptly.
Related Services
Thrive Dental · Bayside, Queens NY
Don't skip the screening.
New patients always welcome — no referral needed. We'll get you in quickly and make it worth your time.
Patient Reviews
What patients are saying
"Super caring and gentle."
"The best."
"It was a pleasure being at a dentist office that takes their time."
"Always excellent. Extremely beautiful office, friendly professional staff. All (3) dentists I've seen were great. Absolutely no pain whatsoever."
"Excellent care and good advice and support."
"Friendly doctor and nurses. Very sympathetic. Spotless office."
"I was seen by one of her associate dentists and he was very professional. The entire staff was wonderful. The hygienist was gentle and thorough … happy to have found this office conveniently on Bell Blvd."
"I really enjoyed my dental appointment with Dr. Hart. She is so caring and calm … I will definitely be a lifelong patient."
"Friendly, encouraging, and nice to my son when he had his first check up at the clinic."
"Great experience. The office is clean and very modern, the staff is professional and they give great care making you feel very comfortable."
"She is the best … always warm and welcoming and sweet and caring … highly recommend her."
"Clean modern office with nice staff … they quickly resolved the online appointment scheduling."
"I highly recommend Thrive Dental … Dr. Mikhaylova and staff provide a warm and friendly environment … professional and thorough."
"Warm vibes. Professional. Very friendly. 10/10 recommend."
"Very nice and friendly staff. Made me feel very comfortable and addressed my issues right away."