Screening Built Into Your Regular Visit

Oral cancer screening is part of routine care at Bonin Dental Care and is especially important for Larkfield-Wikiup residents with risk factors including tobacco use, alcohol consumption, age over 50, or oral HPV exposure. Early detection of premalignant lesions (leukoplakia, erythroplakia) or early-stage cancers dramatically improves outcomes. Many Larkfield-Wikiup residents, particularly older adults and those with occupational sun exposure, benefit from regular screening during their cleaning appointments.

The 8-minute proximity to Windsor means Larkfield residents can maintain regular cleaning and screening appointments without disruption. If Dr. Bonin identifies a suspicious lesion, he can refer to a head-and-neck surgeon or oral pathology specialist in Windsor or Santa Rosa within days, not weeks.

Oral cancer screening is performed at routine exams and cleanings as part of comprehensive care. Dr. Bonin visually examines all oral mucosa, palpates the floor of mouth and undersurface of tongue, assesses the pharynx and tonsils, and checks the neck lymph nodes for enlargement. Any unusual lesions (lumps, discoloration, ulcerations that do not heal in 14 days, asymmetry) prompt biopsy referral. Advanced screening (VELscope, which uses autofluorescence to detect dysplasia) is available for high-risk patients or when visual inspection is equivocal.

Early oral cancers are often asymptomatic, making routine screening critical. Detection of precancerous lesions (dysplasia) allows intervention before invasion. Dr. Bonin maintains a low threshold for specialist referral; any suspicious finding warrants pathologic evaluation rather than watchful waiting. Patient education on risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, oral HPV) and oral self-examination is part of preventive care.

Larkfield-Wikiup residents, especially those over 50 or with occupational sun exposure, face oral cancer risk. Regular screening during routine cleanings ensures early detection without additional appointments or costs. For a community with significant retirees, consistent preventive screening is peace of mind and optimal health protection.