Dentistry - VELscope (implants, dentist, tooth, insurance)

[BoydS]

Has your dentist suggested this exam..? Mine did the other day when I was in for a routine cleaning. This exam is used to screen for pre-cancer or detect cancer within the mouth as I was told. It cost 30 bucks and the dentist stated as of now it is not covered by insurance. Ok, 30 bucks go for it. My exam turned out negative, good news. But, is this a realiable exam...? Any thoughts on this..?

[subsound]

It's brand brand new, and the clinical trials pan out. I think it needs more exposure to really get in use but worse comes to worse it finds inflammation and anomalies. Early detection is a good portion of beating cancer quick and with the minimum of problems, so I would do it if given the option (haven't had so yet, still so new) but insurance companies will have to determine if they trust it as well.

[Elipar]

Maybe I'm cynical, but I doubt insurance companies evaluate products based on merit. Take for example the implant. By now most dentists would agree that implants are the best replacement for a missing or unrestorable tooth (with some exceptions). But do insurance companies cover it? Most don't. I suspect it's because an implant is twice as expensive as the next viable alternative. So when it comes to cancer detection, do you think an insurance company will cover it? The cost/benefit ratio will probably not warrant it, which is tragic.

As far as the Velscope, don't know anything about it.