La Crosse
3143 State Road Suite 100, La Crosse, WI 54601
Why choose us
Benefits of Oral Cancer Screening
Part of Your Visit
We include an oral cancer screening during your regular dental exam, so there is no separate appointment to schedule.
Quick and Comfortable
The screening is a gentle look and feel of your mouth, tongue, throat and neck that takes just a few minutes.
Catch Changes Early
Regular screenings help us notice changes in your mouth over time and talk with you about anything that needs a closer look.
Clear, Honest Answers
We explain what we see in plain language, with no judgment about how long it has been since your last visit.
Close to Home
Screenings are available at our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices across the Coulee Region.
Most people never notice the early changes in their mouth that deserve a closer look. A small sore that lingers, a rough patch on the cheek, or a spot under the tongue can be easy to miss in a bathroom mirror. At Rivertown Dental, we check for these changes as part of routine care at our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices, so families across Wisconsin's Coulee Region have a trained set of eyes on the soft tissues of the mouth, not just the teeth.
An oral cancer screening is a careful look at the areas of your mouth, face and neck where problems can start. We check your lips, gums, tongue, the inside of your cheeks, the floor and roof of your mouth, and the back of your throat as far as we can see. We also gently feel along your jaw and neck for anything unusual, such as a lump, swelling or tenderness that does not belong there.
The goal is simple: notice changes and decide what, if anything, needs attention. Most of what we find turns out to be ordinary, like a bitten cheek or irritation from a sharp tooth edge. When something does stand out, we explain what we see in plain language and talk through next steps with you. We never ask you to guess what is happening or leave the chair confused.
Screening helps adults of every age and background, and it fits naturally into the visits you already make. Patients who use tobacco, drink alcohol regularly, or spend a lot of time outdoors with sun on their lips often appreciate the extra attention. So do people who have noticed something new and want an answer. You do not need a particular risk factor to benefit, though. Changes can happen to anyone, which is why we look for them routinely.
Our general dentists and dental hygienists see patients at all four offices, and because we serve families from toddlers to grandparents, many of our adult patients have been coming to us for years. That history matters. When we know what your mouth normally looks like, a change is easier to spot from one visit to the next.
What should I know before my screening?
You do not need to do anything special to prepare. If you wear dentures or another removable appliance, we will ask you to take it out so we can see the tissue underneath. It helps to tell us about anything you have noticed recently, such as:
- A sore, ulcer or irritated spot that has not healed
- A white or red patch on your gums, tongue or cheek
- A lump, thickening or rough area anywhere in your mouth or neck
- Ongoing hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or a feeling that something is stuck in your throat
- Numbness or tenderness in your mouth or lips without a clear cause
Bring a list of your medications and any changes in your health since your last visit. We will not judge you for how long it has been since you saw a dentist. Our job is to take good care of you from here.
What happens after the screening, and how do I get results?
In most cases, you hear our findings before you leave the chair. Because the screening is a visual and hands-on exam, there is no recovery time and nothing special to do afterward. You can return to your normal day right away.
If we notice something worth watching, we may ask you to come back in a couple of weeks so we can see whether it has healed on its own. Many minor irritations clear up in that time. If an area still concerns us, we will explain the options for further evaluation, answer your questions, and help you understand what comes next. Between visits, keep an eye on your own mouth and call us if anything new appears or an old spot changes.
How do I pay for an oral cancer screening?
We work with many dental insurance plans, so please call your nearest office to confirm your coverage. We also welcome self-pay patients.
For patients without insurance, our Rivertown Membership Plans, also called the VIP Program, include cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride, plus a discount on treatment. We offer Classic, Deluxe and Kids plans. These plans cannot be combined with insurance. If you need help spreading out the cost of care, third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance is available for those who qualify, subject to each lender's approval.
Patients across our four offices have shared their experiences in more than 1,600 Google reviews as of November 2026: La Crosse with 674 reviews at 4.9 stars, Holmen with 546 reviews at 4.8, Arcadia with 245 reviews at 4.9, and Viroqua with 231 reviews at 4.8.
The Ascent Experience: advanced care, genuine comfort, and a better experience from start to finish. Whether you visit us in La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia or Viroqua, a warm towelette, a blanket and a clear explanation are waiting for you. Call the office closest to you to schedule your next exam and screening. We look forward to seeing you.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Talk With Us
We review your health history and ask about any sores, lumps or changes you have noticed.
- 2
Gentle Screening
Your dentist or hygienist checks your lips, cheeks, tongue, gums, throat and neck for anything unusual.
- 3
Next Steps Together
We share what we found and, if anything needs a closer look, explain your options and schedule a follow-up.
Questions
Oral Cancer Screening FAQs
Is an oral cancer screening covered by insurance, and what if I don't have insurance?
We work with many dental insurance plans across our La Crosse, Holmen, Arcadia and Viroqua offices, so the best first step is to call your office to confirm how your plan handles an oral cancer screening. If you don't have insurance, our Rivertown Membership Plans (the VIP Program) offer Classic, Deluxe and Kids options that include cleanings, exams, X-rays and fluoride plus a discount on treatment. You can also ask about third-party financing through Cherry, CareCredit or Proceed Finance, which is subject to qualification and approval.
Does an oral cancer screening hurt?
For most patients, an oral cancer screening is a gentle, noninvasive check. We look carefully at your mouth and the tissues around it, and we explain what we are doing as we go. The Ascent Experience comforts, like a warm towelette, blanket, support pillow, headphones and essential oils, help the whole visit feel more relaxed.
How long does an oral cancer screening take?
An oral cancer screening usually takes just a few minutes and can be done during a routine dental exam. Because it fits into a visit you may already have scheduled, there is typically no separate appointment or recovery time. You can go right back to your normal day afterward.
Who should have an oral cancer screening?
Oral cancer screening is a helpful part of routine care for adults, and we are glad to include it in your regular exams. Our team will talk with you about how often it makes sense for you based on your health and history, with no judgment about how long it has been since your last visit. If you notice a sore, patch or change in your mouth that isn't going away, call your nearest office so we can take a look.
What happens if you find something during my screening?
If we notice anything that needs a closer look, we will explain what we see in clear, plain language and talk through your next steps together. A finding does not automatically mean something serious, and we never make promises about results either way. Our goal is to give you honest information and help you get the right follow-up care close to home in the Coulee Region.