Posted Wednesday, May 7 --- 1:50pm

Dentist have seen a five fold increase of oral cancer in young people under 40 and women with no traditional risk factors.

That's why local dentist Dr. Chris Kammer is using new technology to spot oral cancer before it's too late.

This device is called a Velscope.

They've been using it at the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, along with a handful of other practices for about two months.

Before the Velscope, doctors had a very hard time finding oral cancer in its early stages

Dr. Kammer says, "Clinically in the office you can look with your eyes and look in someones mouth and see some little spot. You can't tell a non cancerous lesion from a cancerous lesion."

The most important advice is to get to your dentist if you have a sore or lesion that doesn't heal in a few weeks.

And be sure to ask them about devices like the Velscope if you are concerned.

Also the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry will be offering *free* Velscope exams this week.

The number to call is 827-6453.