Faculty development programs (FDPs) have proven to be successful for improving teaching skills in higher education. This review article summarizes literature reviews and resource books on faculty development. It tackled why FDP is important, history of FDP in the past years, and questioned whether FDP produced any positive effect on students' academic achievement as well as the different methods to assess FDPs effectiveness. The review also discussed how to establish FDP, presented its ideal structure, features that make FDP effective, and outlined the barriers to its successful implementation as well as the future vision. This report also highlighted the situation of FDP in Saudi Arabia. Finally, the review concluded that professional FDPs produce promising outcomes in the learning and teaching practices and recommended that teachers in higher education should attend FDP training activities on regular basis and that the scope of planned FDPs should extend beyond the health professions discipline, to include social skills necessary for collaboration, professional growth as well as management, and leadership abilities.

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Background and Aim: Despite the availability of several published studies on cephalometric norms among different Arabic countries, “Caucasian” norms are still used as the standard in these countries. The aim of this study was to review the existing literature on the topic and show a meta-analysis of the review for the skeletal values observed in the study. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was conducted for studies that examined the SNA, SNB, and ANB angles in study subjects in different Arabic speaking countries. A total of 16 studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review and a meta-analysis with results from these studies was completed using the OpenMeta-Analyst software (Brown University, Providence, RI, USA). The weighted mean and I² for heterogeneity were computed individually for the SNA, SNB, and ANB angles, respectively. Results: The result of the meta-analysis showed a significant heterogeneity for the SNA, SNB, and ANB angles of each of the populations, suggesting that the populations of the different Arab nations studied were ethnically diverse. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that given the high level of heterogeneity it may not be feasible to speak of the different Arabic speaking nations as a distinct population for the purpose of developing norms for cephalometric skeletal relationships.

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An asymmetric variation of facial structures is commonly seen in the general population. Hemimandibular hyperplasia (HH) is a gross asymmetry of facial structures, characterized by unilateral enlargement of hard and soft tissues. The etiology of HH remains unknown; however, abnormalities involving the hormones, neural system, vascular, lymphatic, and mechanical influences have been proposed. The condition does not warrant any active intervention, except for cosmetic reasons. A case of a 22-year-old male showing characteristic features of HH is reported with insight on differential diagnosis. The case is presented to supplement existing clinical knowledge.

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Background: Branded drugs are usually considered as the most reputed for their safety and efficacy among health-care providers and patients rather than the cheaper branded-generic counterparts. Lacking confidence in generic drugs may lead to patient's nonadherence and treatment failure. Aims: To building up the confidence in some branded-generic drugs by evaluating their quality patient cost versus their branded counterparts. Materials and Methods: Two groups of commonly used anti-diabetic drugs including glibenclamide and metformin, respectively, were selected. Each individual group contains three generics and one reputed international branded tablets were evaluated for their quality and patient cost effect. Quantitative and qualitative examinations were conducted following the USP and BP specifications. The obtained results were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance. Results: All qualitative and quantitative pharmacopeial tests, including each respective tablets weight uniformity, tablets friability, tablets hardness, disintegration time, dissolution tests, individual drug identification test, chemical composition, and drug content uniformity, were within their pharmacopeial specifications with no statistically significant difference between the generics and the branded tablets (P = >0.152–0.255). The margin of patient cost price for the generic tablets were between 15% and 27%, 6% and 42% for the metformin and daonil groups, respectively, and the margin of the price-to-patient for the lowest price and the highest price of the generic tablets were higher in the range between 50–65% and 25–63% when compared to their respective reputed brands. Conclusions: Pharmacopeial examinations showed that generic tablets are quantitatively and qualitatively equivalent to their internationally reputed brands within the tested tablet groups with the advantage for the generic drugs being significantly the cheapest.

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Background: Tobacco use may be an independent, modifiable risk factor for impaired glucose tolerance, and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The use of both combustible and noncombustible forms of tobacco increases the risk of coronal and root caries, periodontal diseases, and oral cancer. Aims: This cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the relationship between tobacco consumption and occurrence of periodontal diseases among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Subjects and Methods: A total 120 type 2 diabetic patients attended at a diabetic center for routine check-up over a period of 6 months fulfiled the eligibility criteria were selected consecutively. To get the target sample quickly non-randomized purposive sampling technique was followed using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires and a checklist. The severity of periodontal diseases was followed according to American Academy of Periodontology (1999). The data were analyzed using the software SPSS, Version 11.5 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). software. Associations were assessed using the Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the participants 22.5% were current smoker and 31.7% always chewed betel leaf. Education level indicated strong association with chewing betel leaf on unadjusted (odds ratio = 0.56 [0.39–0.82]) (P < 0.003). Chewing betel leaf (Paan) was significantly associated with the occurrence of periodontal diseases (P = 0.048). In addition, knowledge about cigarette smoking and chewing tobacco increases periodontal diseases indicated strong associations with current smoker as well as betel leaf chewer (P = 0.000). Conclusions: The relationship between smoking and chewing betel leaf and periodontal diseases provide strong evidence that tobacco products could be in a straight line responsible for developing periodontal diseases.

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Background and aim: DNA and cells of human body are constantly in threat for exposure of oxidative stress and role of genetic factors and oxidative damage. A high number of reactive oxygen species can cause oxidative damage to a large number of molecules, including DNA, result in periodontal tissue damage through multiple mechanisms such as lipid peroxidation, protein denaturation and DNA damage. The micronucleus test is a sensitive method that indicates DNA damage. The aim of the study was to assess the micronucleus frequency (MNF), as a biomarker for DNA damage, in individuals with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 subjects were recruited for the study and divided into three groups. 20 subjects of group 1 had diabetes mellitus along with chronic periodontitis, Subjects with Diabetes mellitus and healthy periodontium were allotted to group 2 and group 3 include Subjects without Diabetes melilitus and with Chronic Periodontitis. Periodontal clinical examination was done. Blood sample collected was use to prepare a slide which was fixed in 5% gimsa solution and was analyzed in microscope then scoring of micronuclei was done. Results: The mean micronuclei observed in group 1, 2 and 3 were 14.8, 11 and 10.85 respectively i.e. group 1 showed significantly greater damage than other two groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that CBMN method was useful as a biomarker for DNA damage in individuals with chronic degenerative systemic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, as well as chronic local disease, such as PD.

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Aim: The purpose of this interview-based questionnaire study is to evaluate the patients' and parents' perspectives on orthodontic treatment and parent's willingness to pay (WTP) for orthodontic treatment of their child in Riyadh City. Research Hypothesis: The higher the socioeconomic status and the severity of the child's malocclusion, the more willing the parents are to pay. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 171 patients and their parents who were personally surveyed from several dental centers. Two different questionnaires were used: one was for the patients who rated their satisfaction with their occlusion and the other was for the parents who were asked to approximate the amount of Saudi Riyal (SR) they would be willing to invest for the treatment of their children's malocclusion. The WTP was calculated using the competitive bidding process, with a median price of 10,000 SR. Results: A total of 171 families and their children with malocclusion were interviewed, of which 71.6% of the parents disagreed to a statement that 10,000 SR/- is a fair amount for the orthodontic treatment. Approximately 47% have responded that their child needed orthodontic treatment. However, a high proportion of parents, i.e., 71.4% were willing to pay more amounts for advanced kind of treatment for their children. Conclusion: The median price used in this study was unacceptable to many parents; however, those parents who found it acceptable were willing to pay more for advanced treatment procedures. Orthodontists in Saudi Arabia should educate the public to what it entitles to achieve a healthy, functional, and esthetically pleasing occlusion.

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Introduction: The selection of artificial teeth is an important concern in complete denture construction. Many theories were developed to objectively select artificial teeth, to simplify the process of choice and to make it more suitable. Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between inverted maxillary central incisors form and face form in a sample of Sudanese population. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty-four dental students (138 females and 26 males), with a mean age (20.8 ± 1.81), were randomly selected. Three horizontal distances of the right maxillary central incisor were measured, (cervical width, contact point width, and incisal width). For facial measurements, three horizontal distances on the face were measured, (bitemporal width, bizygomatic width, and bigonial width). Results: Chi-square test was used to estimate the association between face form and central incisor form. No association between tooth form and face form was detected in the study sample (P = 0.092). Conclusion: The findings of our study indicate that this method is not applicable for selection of maxillary anterior teeth in the study sample.

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Background: Salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) is an important factor in the oral defense mechanism. SIgA levels in infants have shown to vary widely. Mode of delivery may influence SIgA levels. The present study was conducted to evaluate levels of SIgA in infants at different ages, and to compare it with the mode of delivery. Methodology: The study group consisted of 279 healthy neonates and infants up to the age of 9 months. They were divided according to age: Group I: 6–10 days; Group II: 6–8 weeks; Group III: 6 months, and Group IV: 9 months. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from the floor of the mouth and buccal sulcii by means of sterile polyethylene pipettes. Saliva was collected 1 h after feeding. All salivary samples were collected in disposable sterile vials and transferred suitably to a laboratory for estimation of SIgA level using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: There were 146 infants that were delivered by cesarean section and 133 vaginally delivered infants. There was a significant difference in the SIgA levels between vaginal delivery and cesarean section infants (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Mode of delivery appears to have influence on the levels of SIgA in saliva of neonates and infants.

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