Objectives: Global cancer statistical data show that India has one of the highest incidence rates of oral cancer worldwide. Early detection is extremely important as it results in lower morbidity and death rates. The present study was undertaken to assess awareness of oral cancer and knowledge of its early signs and risk factors in the general public of the semi-urban Gorakhpur area of Uttar Pradesh (India). It was also intended to educate the same population for early detection by increasing their ability to recognize signs and risk factors. Method: A questionnaire-based household survey was conducted over a period of one month in different parts of Gorakhpur district, a region where tobacco use is apparently very high. A total of 2,093 persons participated in the survey. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software to assess and associate oral cancer awareness with the prevalence, and abstract risk factors, as well as other confounding variables. Results: The general awareness, knowledge of signs and risk factors of oral cancer were found to be proportionate to the literacy level with the highest rate of awareness being among high school and graduates and lowest among illiterates. It was also observed that on most of these dimensions the younger age groups (<30 years) were significantly more knowledgeable. Conclusion: Overall, the awareness of oral cancer in the high-risk population of Gorakhpur was not satisfactory, pointing to a need for further dissemination of information on this issue and its associated risks. This is especially important for the youngsters, as this may possibly help them keep away from the deleterious habit of tobacco indulgence in any form. If necessary risk factor cessation counselling should be provided.

Injury to the permanent central incisors due to trauma in the maxillofacial region, though common, may result in an uncommon sequel. We report a case of traumatic injury in a 5-year-old child with displacement of the tooth bud into the nasal floor. The identification of ectopic tooth buds poses little diagnostic challenge due to the available imaging facilities, however, in the present case the ectopic bud remained unnoticed and resulted in ectopic eruption of the tooth in the nasal cavity 1 year later. This report highlights a rare case of nasal eruption of a permanent tooth and places stress on the need for close attention to detail during maxillofacial trauma for early detection and proper management.

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Acromegaly is a rare metabolic condition in adults caused due to over secretion of growth hormone mostly due to pituitary gland adenomas.Disproportionate skeletal, tissue and organ growth are characteristic of acromegaly but the changes may be so insidious that most of the times go unnoticed by the patient and family. Craniofacial soft tissue and skeletal changes including mandibular prognathism and disturbed occlusion are typical manifestations of the disease process. Dental professionals may be the first healthcare providers to be visited by these patients and thereby prove instrumental in early diagnosis. Here we report the diagnosis of a case of acromegaly in a dental setup.