BRIDGEPORT, CT — DeJesus Dental Group, a Bridgeport dental office, offered free oral cancer screenings to patients throughout the entire month of November.
Dr. Phillip DeJesus and his associates use a special hand-held device known as Velscope to carefully assess tissue in the mouth for abnormalities. The Velscope uses fluorescence visualization to identify any problem areas in the mouth. The examination takes only two minutes and typically costs $37.
“We were happy to provide this service at no charge to our patients,” Dr. DeJesus said. “It’s a short, noninvasive procedure, but it can also end up saving a person’s life.”
About 50,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year. If caught early, the five-year survival rate in more than 80 percent. No one is immune to oral cancers, but patients face a much higher risk of getting this illness if they regularly use tobacco or alcohol.
Dr. Peter Yelizar, a general dentist at DeJesus Dental Group, said many patients experienced the Velscope treatment for the first time ever. He said patients were pleased to have access to the latest technology to assess for signs of oral cancers.
“It gives our patients a peace of mind and allows us to provide early detection, which is key to a successful treatment,” Dr. Yelizar said.
For more than 20 years, the DeJesus Dental Group has provided high-quality, compassionate dental care to families in Bridgeport,Trumbull, Shelton, Milford, Fairfield, Monroe and all of Fairfield County. The practice provides a wide range of treatments at its offices in Bridgeport and Shelton, CT. Those services include cosmetic services, orthodontic care with Invisalign and restorative treatments such as dental crowns and dental implants. DeJesus Dental Group also assists patients with sleep apnea and jaw pains.
Dr. DeJesus graduated from SUNY Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine in 1992. He then started a two-year residency at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York City and became Chief Resident in 1994 before starting his own practice. He earned Fellowship status from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists in 2005. In 2014, he joined the 1 percent of general dentists who have attained Mastership status from the Academy of General Dentistry.
Periodontist Dr. John Rallo is a graduate of the New York University College of Dentistry, where he was valedictorian of the class of 1987. He worked for three years at Manhattan Veterans Administration Medical Center, where he provided general and periodontal dental care. He also served as the chief resident and earned his periodontal specialty certificate before joining the DeJesus Dental Group.
Dr. Isaak Yelizar graduated with the highest honors from the New York University College of Dentistry before completing a general practice residency at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. While there, he learned of his passion for orthodontics, and he went on to complete an orthodontic residency at St. Barnabas Hospital. Today, he is a board-certified orthodontist with the American Board of Orthodontics, an honor awarded to around 20 percent of orthodontists.
Dr. Peter Yelizar joined the DeJesus Dental Group in 2013. He graduated from Queens College in three years but returned to school later to complete his dental education at the New York University College of Dentistry.
For more information about the DeJesus Dental Group, its specialists or its services, call 203-372-1220 for the Bridgeport/Trumbull Line office or 203-378-9737 for the Shelton office.