Had new derm perform a thorough skin cancer screening. he didn't use a dermoscope but a magnifier with light. is this tool equally appropriate? normal results using it.

I think so.: thats enough for an experienced Doctor, to differentiate benign from suspicious lesions.

Yes: Suspicious skin lesions can easily be identified even with the naked eyes.

Experience counts: Ultimately a biopsy is required to establish a definitive diagnosis but experience and s trained eye counts for a lot. A dermascope is useful in the evaluation of pigmented skin lesions suspicious for cancer as is the use of scans and follow up

Dermoscopy: yes that is fine, he knows what he is doing, dermoscopes are good but not necessary

Skin: if a Dermatologist told you that you are skin cancer free then he is correct, he would have used the dermascope if he felt that there was an area of concern. So relax and enjoy life.