Author Guidelines
The Journal of Clinical Dentistry and Oral Care (ISSN: 3066-814X) invites submissions of original, high-quality manuscripts that contribute meaningfully to the advancement of clinical dental science, oral healthcare, and interdisciplinary practices within the field of dentistry. Authors are expected to adhere to the following detailed guidelines to ensure their work is presented in a clear, consistent, and professional manner, suitable for international peer-reviewed publication. These guidelines are essential in maintaining the integrity, quality, and scholarly rigour expected from contributions to this journal.
Types of Manuscripts Accepted
We welcome a wide range of manuscript types to reflect the diversity of research and practice in dentistry. Authors may submit the following categories:
Original Research Articles: Reports of new experimental findings or clinical investigations related to dental science, oral care practices, or biomaterials research. These should be based on sound methodology and provide valuable insights into existing knowledge gaps.
Review Articles: Comprehensive analyses of specific topics that summarise current findings, historical background, and emerging trends within dental and oral health sciences. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are highly encouraged.
Clinical Case Reports: Descriptive reports of unique or rare clinical cases, detailing diagnostic challenges, innovative treatment protocols, or notable patient outcomes.
Short Communications: Brief, focused studies or preliminary data that offer novel findings of immediate relevance to clinicians and researchers.
Methodological Papers: Detailed descriptions of new or refined laboratory techniques, clinical protocols, or diagnostic tools that improve dental practice or research.
Technical Notes: Submissions that present technical advances or modifications in dental instrumentation, imaging, surgical procedures, or digital dentistry technologies.
Editorials and Perspectives: Expert opinions or commentary on timely issues, policy changes, or advancements that affect dental professionals and healthcare systems.
Language and Manuscript Presentation
All manuscripts must be written in grammatically correct, fluent English. Authors who are not native English speakers are strongly encouraged to have their manuscripts reviewed by professional language editing services before submission. Clear communication is essential to ensure that the research is understood and evaluated appropriately by reviewers and readers.
The manuscript should be prepared using Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx formats only). Authors must ensure the following formatting:
- Use double-spacing throughout the document, including references, tables, and figure captions.
- Apply a standard 12-point font size, preferably Times New Roman or Arial.
- Maintain 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Pages should be numbered consecutively at the bottom right corner.
- Use clear and consistent headings and subheadings to organize the content logically.
Structure of the Manuscript
While formatting may vary depending on the manuscript type, the following general structure is recommended for most submissions:
Title Page: Should contain the title of the manuscript (maximum 15 words), the names and affiliations of all authors, corresponding author details, and any relevant acknowledgements or disclaimers.
Abstract: A well-structured abstract of 150 to 250 words must summarise the study’s objectives, methodology, main findings, and conclusions. Abstracts should not include references or abbreviations.
Keywords: Authors should provide between four to six relevant keywords or phrases to facilitate indexing and searchability. Keywords should reflect the study’s core content, such as dental caries, periodontology, orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, or digital dentistry.
Introduction: This section should set the context of the study, outline the problem or hypothesis being addressed, and explain the significance and novelty of the research.
Materials and Methods: Describe the research design, patient or sample selection, instrumentation, procedures, and data analysis techniques in sufficient detail to allow replication. Ethical approval details must be clearly stated.
Results: Present data clearly, using tables and figures where appropriate. Results should be stated without interpretation.
Discussion: Interpret the findings about existing literature. Discuss clinical relevance, limitations of the study, and potential directions for future research.
Conclusion: Provide a concise summary of the main findings and their implications in clinical practice or dental science.
References: All references must follow the APA (American Psychological Association) citation style. In-text citations should be in the format (Author, Year), and full citations should be listed alphabetically at the end.
Example of in-text citation: (Johnson & Singh, 2022)
Example of reference entry:
Johnson, T., & Singh, R. (2022). Advances in periodontal regeneration. Journal of Periodontal Research, 57(3), 245–253. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx
Tables and Figures
All tables and figures should be submitted as separate files in high-resolution format (.jpg, .png, or .tiff). Each table and figure must be clearly labelled and referenced within the manuscript text. Titles and legends should be descriptive and placed in a separate document. Ensure that any images submitted have been ethically obtained and do not reveal patient identity.
Submission Process
Manuscripts must be submitted electronically via the journal’s online submission portal. Authors are required to register or log in to the system and follow the step-by-step instructions to upload their files. Supporting documents such as the cover letter, conflict of interest statement, and ethical approval certificate must be submitted along with the manuscript.
- Cover Letter
- Each submission must be accompanied by a formal cover letter. The letter should include:
- The title of the manuscript
- A brief statement on the originality of the work
- A declaration that the manuscript has not been published or submitted elsewhere
- A summary of the article’s contribution to the field of dentistry or oral care
- Confirmation of any funding or ethical approvals received
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Authors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could influence the research or its interpretation. These may include financial relationships, institutional affiliations, or personal connections. A conflict-of-interest statement should be included at the end of the manuscript before the references section.
Ethical Considerations
All research involving human participants or animal subjects must adhere to recognised ethical standards. Manuscripts must state that approval was obtained from a relevant ethics committee or institutional review board. Informed consent from human participants must be documented where applicable. Studies must also comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and any applicable local laws.
Article Processing Charges
Authors are advised that an article processing charge (APC) will be applicable upon acceptance of the manuscript. These charges are required to support the editorial and production processes of the journal. Detailed information regarding the APC will be provided at the time of acceptance.
Peer Review Process
All submitted manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process. Reviewers are selected based on their expertise and knowledge of the manuscript’s subject area. The review process is aimed at ensuring scholarly quality, methodological rigour, and relevance to current dental practices. Authors will receive constructive feedback and may be asked to revise their work in response to reviewers’ comments.
Revisions and Resubmissions
If revisions are requested, authors must submit a revised manuscript along with a detailed response letter explaining how each reviewer comment was addressed. All changes should be highlighted or tracked to facilitate the review of the revised version.
Copyright and Licensing
Authors retain the copyright of their work and grant the journal permission to publish it under a Creative Commons Attribution license. This open-access license allows unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided proper credit is given to the original authors.
