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"I predict that this screening procedure with this product will become aswidespread as the PAP smear or PSA test," said Dr. Michael Erickson, a dentistat Creative Dimensions in Dentistry of San Leandro and Castro Valley.Erickson believes that the oral screening procedure with this new product willbe as common as the tests for cervical and prostate cancer that are nowroutine elements of patients' regular diagnostic screening.
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"Oral cancer is on the rise, with one American dying every hour from thedisease, but early treatment is 90 percent effective," said Erickson. "TheViziLite Plus, used along with head and neck exams, can help dentists detectoral cancer early."
The procedure is painless and usually takes about five minutes. ViziLiteis a small disposable, fluorescent light stick about the size of athermometer. After the patient rinses for about two minutes with a raspberry-flavored solution, the doctor shines the ViziLite inside the patient's mouthto examine the mouth, lips and inner cheeks. Cancerous tissue looks whiteunder ViziLite, while normal tissue looks dark.
Health insurance plans do not yet cover the test which costs about $65.00,according to Erickson.
Though smokers and tobacco users are particularly vulnerable to oralcancer and would especially benefit from ViziLite, 27 percent of people withoral cancer do not use tobacco or have other lifestyle risk factors, accordingto Erickson. "This underscores the importance of early screening."
"The lack of early detection is the reason the incidence of oral cancerhas increased by 5.5 percent and the death rate has increased by 1.5 percent,according to the American Cancer Society," noted Erickson.
"We believe the cost of the procedure is a small price to pay to detectoral cancer before it's too late, or for the peace of mind when you discoverthere's no problem and you get a clean bill of oral health," said Erickson.
Creative Dimensions in Dentistry is a high-tech, multi-specialty groupdental practice with offices in Castro Valley and San Leandro. The practicehas served the East Bay continuously since 1967, and has a loyal andexperienced team. Its services include orthodontics, periodontics, cosmeticdentistry and restorative dentistry. Creative Dimensions also has severaldentists who are certified in sedation dentistry.
For more information about Creative Dimensions in Dentistry, its dentalprofessionals and its services, please visit (www.cddentists.com), or call(510) 881-8010 for the Castro Valley office or (510) 895-1776 for the SanLeandro Office.Contacts: Dr. Michael Erickson Jim Zelinski (for Creative Dimensions) Creative Dimensions in Dentistry (925) 242-0918 or (415) 420-6050 (510) 881-801
SOURCE Creative Dimensions in Dentistry
