Free oral cancer screening program earned a place for the University  in the Asia Book of Records 

     Bhubaneswar, May 18: Another feather added to the cap of SOA University . An initiative of SOA (Deemed to be University) here pertaining to organization of a community based free oral cancer screening program in February last has earned it a place in the Asia Book of Records.

     A citation received by SOA from Asia Book of Records said a team of 130 doctors from the Institute of Dental Sciences (IDS), the faculty of dental sciences of SOA, led by its Dean Prof. Neeta Mohanty had screened a total number of 1342 patients on a single day on February 3 last.

     The citation said it was the largest community based oral cancer screening program conducted in a day in Asia.

     The departments of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology and Public Health Dentistry of IDS and department of Community Medicine of the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, conducted simultaneous screening at eight centres around Jamujhari village on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on the eve of World Cancer Day.

     According to Prof. Mohanty, 50 of the screened persons had been detected with conditions which were in pre-cancer stage requiring treatment.

     IDS has been conducting free camps regularly in urban areas providing free investigation and oral cancer treatment at minimum cost, she said adding the people were also provided oral health education and explained about the ill-effects of tobacco and other products responsible for potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer.