Chances are you don’t have oral cancer Topic of the month
……but wouldn’t it nice to be sure?
Devonshire Dental Associates has purchased a state-of-the-art device called the Velscope Oral Cancer
Screening System. Along with our conventional screening exam, which includes looking inside your mouth for
any lesions and examining your neck, we can use the Velscope to literally see beneath the surface to detect
potentially dangerous growths we might have otherwise missed.
The Velscope exam takes about two minutes as part of a regular hygiene check-up, involves no pain, is radiation
free, and is completely safe. It has been given FDA 510(k) clearance.
Did you know?
1. Oral Cancer kills one person every hour, 24 hours a day in the Unites States.
2. Oral cancer is the sixth most common diagnosed cancer in the United States
3. If you are sexually active, you are at higher risk due to a link with the human papilloma virus.
4. In the past three decades there has been a 60% increase in oral cancer in adults under the age of 40.
50% of patients diagnosed with oral cancer are expected to die within 5 years. If caught early, 90% of cases
are curable.
5. Unlike many other cancers, the mortality rates of oral cancer have not changed in over 30 years due to
limitations in screening using white light, and because tissue change below the surface may not be visible to the
naked eye until the disease progresses to the surface.
6. 70% of the time oral cancer is first discovered when it is in the late stages.
How the Velscope works to detect oral cancer
The Velscope emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity, which excites the tissue from the surface of the
epithelium through to the basement membrane and into the stroma beneath, causing it to fluoresce. The
clinician is then able to immediately view the different fluorescence responses and differentiate between normal
and abnormal tissue. Abnormal tissue typically appears as an irregular, dark area that stands out against
otherwise normal, green fluorescence pattern of surrounding healthy tissue.
“Without Velscope, neither I, the oral surgeon, nor the head and neck surgeon could visualize the lesion….Velscope litterally
saved the patient’s life. Dr. A. Palombaro, Binghamton, NY
More on Risk Factors
……but wouldn’t it nice to be sure?
Devonshire Dental Associates has purchased a state-of-the-art device called the Velscope Oral Cancer
Screening System. Along with our conventional screening exam, which includes looking inside your mouth for
any lesions and examining your neck, we can use the Velscope to literally see beneath the surface to detect
potentially dangerous growths we might have otherwise missed.
The Velscope exam takes about two minutes as part of a regular hygiene check-up, involves no pain, is radiation
free, and is completely safe. It has been given FDA 510(k) clearance.
Did you know?
1. Oral Cancer kills one person every hour, 24 hours a day in the Unites States.
2. Oral cancer is the sixth most common diagnosed cancer in the United States
3. If you are sexually active, you are at higher risk due to a link with the human papilloma virus.
4. In the past three decades there has been a 60% increase in oral cancer in adults under the age of 40.
50% of patients diagnosed with oral cancer are expected to die within 5 years. If caught early, 90% of cases
are curable.
5. Unlike many other cancers, the mortality rates of oral cancer have not changed in over 30 years due to
limitations in screening using white light, and because tissue change below the surface may not be visible to the
naked eye until the disease progresses to the surface.
6. 70% of the time oral cancer is first discovered when it is in the late stages.
How the Velscope works to detect oral cancer
The Velscope emits a safe blue light into the oral cavity, which excites the tissue from the surface of the
epithelium through to the basement membrane and into the stroma beneath, causing it to fluoresce. The
clinician is then able to immediately view the different fluorescence responses and differentiate between normal
and abnormal tissue. Abnormal tissue typically appears as an irregular, dark area that stands out against
otherwise normal, green fluorescence pattern of surrounding healthy tissue.
“Without Velscope, neither I, the oral surgeon, nor the head and neck surgeon could visualize the lesion….Velscope litterally
saved the patient’s life. Dr. A. Palombaro, Binghamton, NY
More on Risk Factors
Need a Boston Dentist?
Welcome to Devonshire Dental
We have created this website as a resource for our patients.
We invite you to read our featured articles, learn more about
dentistry, and find answers to questions you may have. Feel
free to contact one of our doctors, or even make an
appointment online. Just use the buttons above.
Devonshire Dental was founded in 1998 by Dr. Althea Angel, a
Harvard trained dentist, who has practiced in Boston for more
than 15 years. An adult only practice, it serves both patients
who work in Boston, and patients who live in the suburbs who
are seeking quality dentistry.
Welcome to Devonshire Dental
We have created this website as a resource for our patients.
We invite you to read our featured articles, learn more about
dentistry, and find answers to questions you may have. Feel
free to contact one of our doctors, or even make an
appointment online. Just use the buttons above.
Devonshire Dental was founded in 1998 by Dr. Althea Angel, a
Harvard trained dentist, who has practiced in Boston for more
than 15 years. An adult only practice, it serves both patients
who work in Boston, and patients who live in the suburbs who
are seeking quality dentistry.
Our Boston Dental Practice was recently expanded, adding several treatment rooms featuring the latest
technology. In addition to General and Cosmetic Dentistry, we now also offer Endodontic and Periodontal
services on site as well.
A patient recently told us-
" I had been self-conscious of my smile since I was a child. Recently a co-worker recommended Dr. Angel to
me. After lengthy consultations, Dr. Angel placed new veneers on my front teeth. When I saw the results I cried
tears of joy right in her office. It has changed my life. Thank everyone at your office for me. You are the best !"
technology. In addition to General and Cosmetic Dentistry, we now also offer Endodontic and Periodontal
services on site as well.
A patient recently told us-
" I had been self-conscious of my smile since I was a child. Recently a co-worker recommended Dr. Angel to
me. After lengthy consultations, Dr. Angel placed new veneers on my front teeth. When I saw the results I cried
tears of joy right in her office. It has changed my life. Thank everyone at your office for me. You are the best !"
 |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
617.350.7474
| 185 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02110 617.350.7474 |
| Please read this disclaimer |
| Yes! We have Invisalign. Click here for more information |
| Velscope Oral Cancer Screening only takes two minutes. It is safe and painless. Yearly exams are recommended starting at age 18. |