Early detection makes all the difference in oral cancer, and that’s exactly why Dr. Stephen Petinge includes oral cancer screening during every routine dental exam for Saugus residents. At our boutique dental practice, we deliver personalized care beyond just checking your teeth—we examine your entire mouth, throat, and neck for any signs that could indicate serious health concerns.
Most patients don’t realize how common oral cancer actually is or how significantly early detection improves survival rates. Dr. Petinge, a specialist in restorative dentistry, brings his detailed eye and years of expertise to every screening, ensuring nothing gets overlooked during your visit.
Oral cancer carries a five-year survival rate of only 60 percent, which sounds pretty scary at first. But here’s the encouraging part: your odds of beating this disease jump by 20 percent when we catch it early. That’s a significant difference that can literally save your life.
Approximately 30,000 people receive an oral cancer diagnosis each year in the United States. Tragically, the disease proves fatal for around 8,000 Americans annually. These numbers highlight why Dr. Petinge includes comprehensive screening as a standard part of every examination—not as an optional add-on but as an essential component of oral health care.
At Stephen Petinge DMD, we’ve created a boutique dental experience where every patient receives customized attention. Unlike large dental chains where you might feel like just another appointment on a packed schedule, our practice focuses on building genuine relationships with each person who walks through our doors.
Dr. Petinge’s background as a restorative dentistry specialist means he understands oral tissues, structures, and abnormalities at a deeper level than general practitioners. This expertise directly translates into more thorough, accurate oral cancer screening for Saugus patients. He knows what healthy tissue should look and feel like, which helps him identify concerning changes quickly.
You deserve dental care that treats you as a unique individual with specific needs and concerns. Dr. Stephen Petinge and our team deliver that customized experience while providing the thorough, specialist-level examinations that can save your life through early cancer detection.
Don’t wait until symptoms force you to seek help. Regular screenings catch problems before they become emergencies. Check our current promotions to see how we make quality dental care more accessible, then reach out to schedule your appointment. Your personalized oral cancer screening awaits, along with the peace of mind from knowing a true specialist has thoroughly examined your oral health.
When you come in for your preventive care appointment, oral cancer screening happens naturally as part of your comprehensive exam. Dr. Petinge visually inspects your lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of your mouth, roof of your mouth, and throat. He carefully examines the texture and color of these tissues, looking for red or white patches, sores, lumps, or any other abnormalities.
The screening also includes palpation—using his hands to feel for lumps, bumps, or swelling in your neck, jaw, and under your chin. This physical examination helps detect issues that might not be visible to the naked eye. The entire process takes just a few minutes and causes no discomfort whatsoever.
We already include screening in our standard exam fee, so you don’t face any additional costs for this potentially life-saving service. When it comes to something this important, Dr. Petinge believes it’s always better to check and make sure rather than assume you’re safe.
While anyone can develop oral cancer, certain factors increase your vulnerability. The disease appears most commonly in people over age 50, though younger individuals aren’t immune. Heavy drinking and smoking dramatically elevate your risk—these habits remain the leading causes of oral cancer in older adults.
Interestingly, when younger people develop oral cancer, the cause is often linked to human papillomavirus (HPV). This connection has changed the demographic profile of oral cancer patients over recent years, making screening important for people of all ages.
If you fall into higher-risk categories, you can request additional screening during your regular dental visits. Dr. Petinge and our staff welcome these conversations and never make patients feel like they’re being overly cautious about their health.
We encourage you to perform self-examinations at home between your dental appointments. Once a month, grab a flashlight and a mirror and look at all the surfaces inside your mouth. Look for anything that seems different or unusual.
Contact us immediately if you notice:
Many of these symptoms can result from less serious conditions, but you should never ignore them or wait to see if they disappear. Early evaluation gives you the best possible outcome regardless of the diagnosis.
Detecting and treating oral cancer in its earliest stages makes it possible to avoid escalating concerns. When cancer remains localized and hasn’t spread to lymph nodes or other parts of your body, treatment becomes more straightforward and success rates climb significantly.
Dr. Petinge maintains relationships with excellent physicians and specialists throughout the Saugus area. If he identifies something during your oral cancer screening Saugus appointment that requires further evaluation, he can refer you to a trusted medical professional for follow-up care. If you don’t already have a primary care physician, he’ll help connect you with someone who can provide the specialized attention you need.
This coordinated approach to healthcare exemplifies the personalized service our boutique practice offers. We don’t just identify problems and send you on your way—we walk alongside you through the entire process, making sure you understand your options and connect with the right specialists.
While oral cancer screening is a critical component of your dental visits, it’s just one part of the tailored care you receive at Stephen Petinge DMD. Dr. Petinge’s expertise in restorative dentistry means he can address everything from routine cleanings to complex reconstructions while maintaining the personalized touch that makes our practice special.
Our general dentistry services cover the full spectrum of oral healthcare needs. We’ve built a practice where patients feel genuinely cared for, not processed through an assembly line. That boutique atmosphere extends to every interaction, from your first phone call to your follow-up appointments.
