Medical Care for Your Mouth
Oral Pain Solutions
in San Diego and Orange County
About Us
What is SCOPE?
Dentists take care of your teeth — SCOPE takes care of sores, lesions, lumps, odd-colored patches, pre-cancerous conditions, and cancers inside your mouth.
Cancers of the tongue, throat, lips, and gums are more common than you might think. According to the American Cancer Society, a man has a 1 in 59 chance of developing a mouth cancer and women have a 1 in 139 chance. Because treatment becomes more invasive once cancer has grown and spread, early detection is crucial.
Certain individuals also have a heightened risk of developing non-cancerous conditions that make it uncomfortable to eat, speak, or swallow. Diabetics and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
Persistent bleeding, recurring hoarseness, and even persistent bad breath, can be early warnings signs of mouth disease. Fortunately, most such diseases can be easily treated if diagnosed early.
Meet the Doctor
"Doctor Josh" is a dentist, medical school-educated oral pathologist, and biopsy surgeon. He completed his residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology at the world-renowned University of Pittsburgh Medical Center after earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.
Doctor Josh is one of only a handful of doctors in the United States who is triple-credentialed as a licensed dentist, a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral Medicine (FAAOM) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology (FAAOMP).
According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine, designation as an FAAOM is "a highly respected and sought-after credential" that is awarded to medical practitioners who have demonstrated "proficiency in the diagnosis and management of oral mucosal diseases, difficult oral/dental diagnoses, orofacial pain, and dental management of medically complex patients."
The American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology grants medical practitioners the FAAOMP designation only upon passing a rigorous exam demonstrating mastery in the diagnosis of microscopic diseases of the oral cavity and jaws "using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations."
Dr. Goldfaden is a peer-reviewed contributor to numerous medical journals, including Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology and The Journal of the American Dental Association. Medical doctors, oncologists, oral surgeons, and dentists from around the country consult with Dr. Goldfaden. He also serves on the Editorial Board of PathologyOutlines, an authoritative reference regularly consulted by cancer diagnosticians.
Known for his warm, compassionate approach, Dr. Goldfaden builds lasting relationships with his patients, treating each person like family. Fluent in medical Spanish, he enjoys serving patients with diverse backgrounds.
Outside of work, "Doctor Josh" enjoys playing the guitar, cooking, and cheering on the sports teams of his hometown, Detroit, Michigan. And to be honest, if you see a guy at the beach reading a medical journal about oral diseases, say "Hi" to Doctor Josh.
Services
Your Personalized Pain Solutions
Comprehensive Oral Exams
Careful evaluation of your mouth to check for abnormalities, relieve discomfort, and spot potential signs of early disease.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Routine checks for early signs of oral cancer or precancerous changes ---
quick, painless, and an important part of preventive care.
Diagnosis of Oral Conditions
Evaluation and management of issues like mouth sores, white or red patches, lumps, infections, or unusual changes.
Biopsies (Tissue Analysis)
If needed, a small sample of tissue is gently collected and sent for analysis to better understand a suspicious area in the mouth.
Management of Oral Pain and Burning Mouth
Care for chronic mouth or facial pain, including conditions like burning mouth syndrome.
Dry Mouth Care
Assessment and treatment options to relieve dry mouth and protect your teeth and oral tissues.
Treatment of Oral Infections
Diagnosis and treatment of fungal, viral, and bacterial infections affecting the mouth.
Care for Oral Lesions and Ulcers
Treatment of canker sores, lichen planus, and other lesions to promote healing and comfort.
Medication-Related Oral Care
Monitoring and managing oral side effects from medications or medical treatments (such as chemotherapy or radiation).
Second Opinions and Specialist Consultations
Expert review to help you feel confident that your current treatment plan is optimal.
Patient Education
Understanding Oral Conditions
Helping you understand symptoms, causes, and when professional evaluation may be needed.
Financial Policies
Healthcare can be expensive. Fortunately, the costs of treating diseases in the mouth ordinarily qualify for coverage under medical insurance policies and Medicare.
Although the degree of coverage can vary widely, Medicare and health insurance coverage typically reduce a patient's out-of-pocket costs for SCOPE's services, as well as for any necessary blood tests, imaging, or prescription medicines. (In contrast, routine treatments by dentists relating to teeth generally are not covered by Medicare and are covered only modestly by dental insurance policies).
SCOPE requires all patients to pay in advance for its services. As a courtesy to our patients, SCOPE is happy to submit reimbursement claims on your behalf directly to health insurance providers and Medicare. Due to copayments, annual deductibles, and other policy limitations, please be aware that insurance reimbursements usually will cover only a portion, but not all, of the costs of SCOPE's services.
In the event that you require a biopsy, it also will be necessary to have a pathology laboratory process your biopsy specimen and have an oral pathologist analyze it. These costs are not included as part of SCOPE's services.
Reviews
What our patients say about us
"Dr. Josh spotted a squamous cell cancer on my forehead that my dermatologist missed. It's now gone. Thank you, Dr. Josh!" - G. Klein
Frequently Asked Questions
