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New ViziLite Plus Could Reduce Oral Cancer Fatalities Predicts East Bay's Creative Dimensions in Dentistry

Posted on: Monday, 7 April 2008, 09:01 CDT

CASTRO VALLEY and SAN LEANDRO, Calif., April 7, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- A tiny lightstick -- called ViziLite Plus -- could help prevent 90 percent of all fatalities from oral cancer, according to the East Bay-based Creative Dimensions in Dentistry (http://www.cddentists.com/) -- a dental group which recommends that all adults ask their dentists for the procedure.

"I predict that this screening procedure with this product will become as widespread as the PAP smear or PSA test," said Dr. Michael Erickson, a dentist at Creative Dimensions in Dentistry of San Leandro and Castro Valley. Erickson believes that the oral screening procedure with this new product will be as common as the tests for cervical and prostate cancer that are now routine elements of patients' regular diagnostic screening.

"Oral cancer is on the rise, with one American dying every hour from the disease, but early treatment is 90 percent effective," said Erickson. "The ViziLite Plus, used along with head and neck exams, can help dentists detect oral cancer early."

The procedure is painless and usually takes about five minutes. ViziLite is a small disposable, fluorescent light stick about the size of a thermometer. After the patient rinses for about two minutes with a raspberry- flavored solution, the doctor shines the ViziLite inside the patient's mouth to examine the mouth, lips and inner cheeks. Cancerous tissue looks white under ViziLite, while normal tissue looks dark.

Health insurance plans do not yet cover the test which costs about $65.00, according to Erickson.

Though smokers and tobacco users are particularly vulnerable to oral cancer and would especially benefit from ViziLite, 27 percent of people with oral cancer do not use tobacco or have other lifestyle risk factors, according to Erickson. "This underscores the importance of early screening."

"The lack of early detection is the reason the incidence of oral cancer has increased by 5.5 percent and the death rate has increased by 1.5 percent, according to the American Cancer Society," noted Erickson.

"We believe the cost of the procedure is a small price to pay to detect oral cancer before it's too late, or for the peace of mind when you discover there's no problem and you get a clean bill of oral health," said Erickson.

Creative Dimensions in Dentistry is a high-tech, multi-specialty group dental practice with offices in Castro Valley and San Leandro. The practice has served the East Bay continuously since 1967, and has a loyal and experienced team. Its services include orthodontics, periodontics, cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry. Creative Dimensions also has several dentists who are certified in sedation dentistry.

For more information about Creative Dimensions in Dentistry, its dental professionals and its services, please visit (http://www.cddentists.com/), or call (510) 881-8010 for the Castro Valley office or (510) 895-1776 for the San Leandro Office.

Creative Dimensions in Dentistry

CONTACT: Dr. Michael Erickson, Creative Dimensions in Dentistry,+1-510-881-8010; or Jim Zelinski, +1-925-242-0918, +1-415-420-6050, forCreative Dimensions in Dentistry

Web site: http://www.cddentists.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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