01
A sore that will not heal
Persistent, rather than the ulcer that comes and goes.
Oral Cancer Screening in Katy, TX
Oral Cancer Screening
A few minutes at every checkup, with no needles and no downtime. Caught early, the five-year survival rate is 80–90%. Caught late, it is 30–40%.
Is this you
Six signs worth a phone call.
Most of these turn out to be nothing. That is not a reason to leave one of them for a few more months.
02
White or red patches
Anywhere inside the mouth, including under the tongue.
03
Chewing or swallowing is hard
A change in how food moves, not a one-off.
04
A lump or thickening
In the cheek, the neck, or under the jaw.
05
A chronic sore throat, or hoarseness
A voice change that has outlasted a cold.
06
Numbness
In the mouth or the face, with no dental work to explain it.
And who the practice recommends an annual screening for
- Tobacco usersCigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco or vaping. Long-term users should be screened more often.
- Regular drinkersAlcohol irritates the mucous membranes. Combined with tobacco, the risk rises exponentially.
- HPV exposureHPV-16 contributes to oropharyngeal cancers and often goes undetected for years, in people with no other risk factors at all.
- A family history of cancerOf any kind, not only oral.
- And othersFrequent sun exposure (linked to lip cancer), being over 40, poor nutrition or a compromised immune system, and a history of cancer elsewhere in the body.
The Screening
What it is, and why it is standard here.
Why it is part of every checkup
Oral cancer is one of the most underdiagnosed cancers, largely because it produces no noticeable symptoms until it has progressed. The practice does not wait for symptoms — the screening is built into the routine visit.
In the practice’s words
When oral cancer is caught early, it’s much more manageable. The treatment is less invasive, the recovery is quicker, and the survival rate is significantly higher. According to the Oral Cancer Foundation, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer jumps to nearly 80–90% when detected early, compared to just 30–40% in late-stage diagnoses.
Early detection gives patients a fighting chance before cancer spreads to surrounding tissues or other parts of the body. It allows us to take swift, targeted action, which could mean the difference between a simple outpatient procedure and more aggressive treatments like surgery or radiation.
We use advanced screening technology to enhance accuracy, and we document each exam to monitor any changes over time. If a suspicious area is identified, we take the appropriate steps for further testing or professional referrals.
Seven places it can appear, and most of them are out of your own sight
- The lipsAnd the corners of the mouth. Sun exposure is the risk factor here.
- The cheeksThe inner lining, which you never look at.
- The gums and jawlineWhere a thickening reads as ordinary soreness.
- The tongueThe front, the sides, and the floor of the mouth beneath it.
- The palateBoth the soft and the hard palate.
- The throatAnd the tonsillar area, where a lump is easy to dismiss.
- The lymph nodesFelt for by hand, under the jaw and down the neck.
Why This One
What it does for you.
It is the only treatment on this site whose entire value is in finding nothing, most of the time.
Early is the whole thing
80–90% five-year survival caught early, against 30–40% late. No other number on this site moves like that.
Less invasive treatment
The difference between an outpatient procedure and surgery with radiation.
It looks where you cannot
The throat, the palate, under the tongue, the lymph nodes. None of these are visible in a bathroom mirror.
It is documented
Each exam is recorded, so a change between visits is a change and not a memory.
A few minutes, no needles
Non-invasive, painless, no downtime, and folded into an appointment you were already having.
Referral, if it is needed
A suspicious area means further testing or a referral, promptly. This practice screens; it does not treat cancer.
Your dentist
Dr. Dave Cho, DMD
Dr. Dave Cho explains what he is looking for while he looks, which is why patients here tend to know their own risk factors.
- 1Screening a year, minimum
- 7Areas examined
- 3Advanced tools, where needed
Also on the teamDr. William Sung, DMDFellow of the Academy of General DentistryThe advanced tools, and when they are used
- VELscope® and similar light-based devices. Fluorescence technology that reveals changes in tissue structure not visible to the naked eye.
- Tissue staining. Toluidine Blue dye adheres to areas of higher cellular activity, flagging abnormal areas for a closer look.
- Brush biopsies. Cells collected for laboratory evaluation, if something suspicious is found.
These are used when the visual and physical examination raises a question, not routinely. The screening itself is the light, the mirror and the hands.
Oral cancer doesn’t exist in a vacuum — studies show links between oral and systemic health, and a delayed diagnosis can affect your immune system, respiratory function, and overall quality of life.
The Path
What happens, step by step.
Visual examination
An overhead light and a mirror, over the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, floor of the mouth and throat. Looking for white or red patches, sores, swelling and discolouration.
Physical palpation
Gently feeling the floor of the mouth, under the tongue, the neck, the jawline and the lymph nodes, for lumps, nodules or thickening.
Advanced tools, if needed
Fluorescence imaging, tissue staining, or a brush biopsy, only where the first two steps raise a question.
What happens if something is found
Further testing, or a referral to the right specialist, promptly. You are told what was seen and what it might be.
Do not wait for symptoms.
By the time oral cancer produces symptoms it has usually progressed. That is the entire argument for screening while nothing is wrong.
Book an appointmentOr call (281) 769-8878
The Alternatives
How it compares.
Screened at every visit, against noticing it yourself.
ScreenedSelf-noticed
Found before it produces symptoms.Symptoms mean it has usually progressed.
The throat and palate are examined.You cannot see either of them.
Lymph nodes felt by hand.A deep node is not something you find.
Compared against last year’s record.Compared against memory.
80–90% five-year survival.30–40% at late-stage diagnosis.
Checking your own mouth is worth doing and is not a substitute. If you find something, that is a reason to call rather than to watch it.
How often
Once a year at minimum, as part of a dental checkup. Twice a year for higher-risk patients.
- AnnuallyEvery adult, regardless of age or current health. It is folded into a routine checkup.
- Twice a yearTobacco users, heavy drinkers, and anyone with a family history or a previous cancer.
- WheneverAny of the six signs above, at any point between appointments. Do not wait for the next scheduled visit.
The Cost
What it costs, before it starts.
The screening is a standard part of a dental checkup at this practice, not an upsell attached to one.
StandardPart of the exam
Included in a routine checkup, which most insurance plans cover twice a year.
◆
If advanced tools are used
Fluorescence imaging or a brush biopsy is discussed and quoted before it is done, never afterwards.
The Proof
What Katy patients say about being here.
Had my cleaning and exams today, and the staff was super friendly. They explained everything in detail and made me feel at ease. Not just a routine visit, more like a mini spa for my teeth. A great feeling knowing they really look after your health too. Highly suggest making this place your go to.
The staff here is super friendly and informative. Just had my cleaning and exams done, and they were thorough without being rough. The dental filling went really well, didn’t hurt one bit, and they took extra care to ensure it looked great. Overall, a very clear and calm vibe in the office. Highly recommend checking them out for your family dentistry needs.
Reem Almekhlafi
Had a very good time at the dental office. The cleaning was thorough and Genevieve did an amazing job! The high tech tools made me feel at ease. It’s a calm atmosphere, which is just what anyone needs before a visit. Definitely a convenient place for dental care. Highly recommend it for anyone needing cleaning and exams.
Glenn Adrian De La Garza
Very friendly staff and were willing to help in every way! Felt more comfortable here than at any other dentist office in the past, highly recommend!
Gabriel Sanchez
Questions
Questions patients ask before they decide.
How often should I be screened?
At least once a year, during a dental checkup. For higher-risk patients, twice a year may be advised. Dr. Dave Cho will discuss the right timeline based on your personal risk factors and medical history.
Does it hurt?
No. The screening is completely non-invasive and takes just a few minutes. There are no needles, no pain and no downtime, and it is integrated into your regular checkup.
I do not smoke or drink. Do I still need it?
Yes. HPV-16 contributes to oropharyngeal cancers and often goes undetected for years, and people with none of the traditional risk factors can still be affected. Every adult benefits from regular screening regardless of age or current health.
What happens if you find something?
If a suspicious area is identified, we take the appropriate steps for further testing or a professional referral. Enhanced tools — fluorescence imaging, tissue staining, or a brush biopsy for laboratory evaluation — may be used first to get a clearer picture.
Where does oral cancer usually appear?
The lips, the inside of the cheeks, the gums and jawline, the tongue and the floor of the mouth, the soft and hard palate, and the throat and tonsillar area. Most of those are hidden or easy to overlook, which is why signs go unnoticed without a professional evaluation.
Why does a dentist do this rather than a doctor?
Because a dentist looks inside your mouth twice a year and has a record of what it looked like last time. The screening is documented at each exam so changes over time are visible.
The Invitation
Ask about this one.
If you have had a sore, a patch or a lump for more than two weeks, call rather than book online, and say what it is.
- Hours
- Mon to Wed 9am to 6pm
Thu 9am to 5pm
Fri to Sun Closed - Emergencies
- Call the practice. We keep same day slots for pain, breaks and knocked out teeth.
