What if a quick screening could catch something early?
Oral cancer often develops without obvious symptoms — which is why proactive screening matters. At Longmont Dental, Dr. Kurt and Dr. Wyatt Knechtel help Longmont and Boulder County families protect long-term health with comfortable, preventive exams that support early detection when it counts most.
Early detection saves lives
As with so many types of cancer, malignant oral tumors have a high rate of being successfully treated when detected before they have spread to other tissues or distant organs.
Early detection with the latest, safest, and minimally-invasive screening tools is critical to living many years to the fullest. Waiting until symptoms show up can be too late — routine screening helps catch concerning changes at their earliest, most treatable stage.
Peace of mind through preventive care
Oral cancer usually develops without symptoms — so regular screenings are one of the most proactive steps you can take for your oral and overall health.
At Longmont Dental, we offer routine oral cancer screenings as part of comprehensive care. A quick, comfortable exam can give you confidence that concerning changes are being watched — and that anything unusual will be evaluated promptly.
Protecting your long-term health
Anything that affects your mouth can affect your whole body. Prompt detection of early-stage oral cancer and pre-malignant changes supports simpler follow-up care when it is needed.
Accurate understanding of underlying conditions informs immediate and effective treatment plans. Screening assisted by advanced tools when appropriate can quite literally save lives — because the goal is your health for years to come, not just today’s visit.
Care that treats you like family
Led by Dr. Kurt W. Knechtel, DMD, Longmont Dental welcomes patients in and around Longmont, Colorado, and the greater Boulder area with a kind, non-judgmental, warm, and inviting approach to care.
Because we get to know our patients as family, we also work to reduce the risk of developing oral cancer. While we can’t control everything, we can partner with you to minimize the dangers presented by factors such as smoking, vaping, and tobacco use.
Quick and comfortable screening
This combination of amenities and forward-thinking treatment supports the most comfortable, precise, pleasant, and safe experience — including during oral cancer screening.
Screening is quick and minimally invasive. Your dentist looks at and gently feels the soft tissues inside and around your mouth. There is no need to dread the exam — it is a routine part of many visits, designed to be gentle while still thorough.
Your exam, step by step
A comprehensive exam helps your dentist understand your whole mouth — not just individual teeth — so recommendations can fit your health history and goals.
What does a comprehensive exam include, and why go regularly?
Review health history and concerns
Review health history and concerns
Your dentist starts by learning about your medical history, medications, and any symptoms or goals you want to discuss. This context helps guide what to look for during the visit.
Step 1 of 6
Regular comprehensive exams can help your dental team notice changes earlier — when care is often simpler. Screenings and imaging support that process but cannot catch every concern; your dentist interprets findings and recommends next steps.
Exam steps, imaging, and recall frequency vary by patient. Your dentist will recommend how often you need exams and which care is appropriate for you.
A practice invested in your safety
Longmont Dental is among the select providers, near and far, to invest in advanced oral assessment technology. Other practitioners may be limited in their ability to see or visualize potentially dangerous pre-cancers and cancerous lesions during routine exams.
That investment reflects our commitment to accurate diagnoses — because accurate diagnoses inform immediate and effective treatment plans for the families who trust us with their care.
When technology supports your exam
VELscope® gives Dr. Knechtel an additional edge when treating patients — but it never replaces the visual and tactile exam or your dentist’s clinical judgment.
Using blue-light fluorescence, the system can help highlight abnormal tissue that may not be as visible under ordinary light. When abnormal tissues stand out, your dentist can more precisely identify areas subject to cellular, structural, and metabolic changes — including active oral cancers in their earliest stages and pre-malignant dysplasia. It is an adjunct tool, not a diagnosis on its own.
Warning signs worth mentioning
White or red patches in the mouth, unexplained bleeding or numbness, sores that don’t heal within two weeks, persistent sore throat or hoarseness, changes in how dentures fit, a feeling that something is stuck in the throat, or unexplained lumps or swellings — these symptoms don’t mean you have oral cancer. Many have benign explanations.
However, any symptom that feels off requires clinical examination. Tell your dentist about changes you notice between visits — self-awareness and professional screening work together.
Schedule your screening today
Early detection saves lives. Be proactive about your oral health and schedule your oral cancer screening today.
Dial (720) 815-4733 and let’s set up your appointment at Longmont Dental — serving Longmont, Boulder County, and Northern Colorado.
Two layers of screening
Oral cancer screening is a quick, comfortable part of many dental visits. Your dentist checks soft tissues inside and around the mouth — and may use additional technology when appropriate to support the exam.
What areas does your dentist check during screening?
Two layers of screening
Oral cancer screening is a quick, comfortable part of many dental visits. Your dentist checks soft tissues inside and around the mouth — and may use additional technology when appropriate to support the exam.
What areas does your dentist check during screening?
Layer 1
Visual and tactile exam
Your dentist looks at and gently feels the lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, and throat for changes in color, texture, or swelling. This routine screening is part of comprehensive care and helps your dental team notice areas that may need follow-up.
Layer 2
Adjunctive light screening
When appropriate, VELscope® blue-light technology may be used alongside the visual exam to help highlight areas that could need a closer look. It is an adjunct tool — not a diagnosis and not a replacement for your dentist’s clinical judgment.
Lips
The outer and inner lip tissue is checked for sores, patches, or changes in texture that persist beyond a couple of weeks.
Regular screenings can support earlier evaluation of concerning changes — when follow-up care may be simpler. Screening does not detect every issue, and a normal screening does not replace ongoing self-awareness or reporting new symptoms to your dentist.
Findings from any screening require dentist evaluation. Suspicious areas may need additional testing or referral to a specialist. VELscope® is an adjunctive tool only — it does not diagnose cancer. Your dentist will explain next steps if anything needs a closer look.
Oral cancer screening questions
Answers about oral cancer screening and preventive care at Longmont Dental — from our prepared patient information.
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