Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure Tool for Evaluating the Educational Environment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review was to study the literature evaluating the educational environment by using DREEM tool and compute overall mean DREEM score by using Meta-analysis. Further, variation in DREEM score was also studied by distributing studies into different time periods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Web of Science databases, followed by review and analysis. All the studies which used DREEM as a tool, published from 1997 to December 2015 were included. Heterogeneity between the studies was assessed by I2-coefficient and Q-statistics. Where significant heterogeneity existed random effect, model was used. Egger’s symmetric test and Begg’s funnel plot was used to study possibility of publication bias. The PRISMA Guideline for systematics review was used. RESULTS: Out of 128 published DREEM studies, 43 passed the criteria and included in analysis. Overall mean DREEM score through Meta-analysis was 2.426 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.34-2.52). Studies were divided into two groups for analyzing the time effect. Mean score of the studies published during 1997 to 2009 (group 1) was 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.35-2.64) and for the studies from 2010 to 2015 (group 2) was 2.39 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.29-2.5). CONCLUSION: Overall DREEM score was more towards positive side than negative. Current review revealed that DREEM has not been used as predictor for achievement of any medical college instead it can be used to predict high and low achievers in a medical school. This review can signify DREEM to be suitable and consistent tool showing learning environment of institute and student’s prerequisites

In vitro assessment of the antifungal effects of neem powder added to polymethyl methacrylate denture base material

Denture with antimicrobial activities is desirable to prevent Candida albican adhesion subsequently decreasing the susceptibility of denture stomatitis incidence. Azadirachta Indica, commonly known as Neem powder has antimicrobial effect but the effect of its addition to acrylic denture base on C. albicans adhesion has not been investigated. The aim of this study was determine whether adding neem powder to acrylic denture base materials could reduce Candida albicansadhesion. One hundred and twenty acrylic resin denture specimens were fabricated and divided into heat-polymerized (n=60) and auto-polymerized (n=60) groups. Each group was further divided into 6 groups (n=10) based on the neem concentration: 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 wt% of the polymer. After polymerization, the specimens were polished, stored in distilled water, sonicated, sterilized, submerged in artificial saliva containing C. albicans, and finally, placed in an incubator at 37°C. Slide counting and direct culture methods were used to assess the antifungal effects of the neem addition. An analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey?s test were performed for the data analysis (p?0.05 was statistically significant). Based on the results, the neem addition significantly decreased the C. albicans count when compared to the control group (p?0.05). Moreover, the count decreased as the neem concentration increased (lowest count with 2.5 wt%). The results suggest that adding neem powder to acrylic resin denture base materials reduces the adhesion of C. albicans; therefore, the incorporation of neem could be a possible denture stomatitis prevention method

Prevalence of dental fluorosis in school going children of Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Objective: Purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of dental fluorosis and its pattern in primary and permanent teeth among 6-12-year-old Pakistani school going children living in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed between June and September 2014. A total number of screened children were 496 among them 259 were males and 237 were females. World Health Organization′s scale was used to examine children for dental fluorosis. Results: Prevalence of dental fluorosis was found to be 33% among a total number of examined children. Among the children who had dental fluorosis (n = 164), it was observed that mild and moderate level of fluorosis were prevailing in 113 (69%) children. Furthermore, a number of males who were suffering from fluorosis was more than the females. There were 97 males and 67 females found affected from dental fluorosis and this difference was found statistically significant (P = 0.038). Conclusion: Prevalence of dental fluorosis among Pakistani school going children was not high. However, the severity of fluorosis was alarming, mild, and a moderate level of fluorosis was observed in most of the children who were affected from fluorosis