The continued evolution and discoveries in all aspects of dental sciences increases in an exponential rate over the last years, leading to innovative knowledge and the development of novel materials, protocols and technologies that are transmuting dental practice. Therefore, the influence of this evolution promoted educational reforms at several prestigious dental schools by the inclusion of innovative approaches as evidence-based foundations and translational research into their curriculum. The development of research programs throughout all dental curriculum may benefit the students criteria and curiosity promoting their pursuit of knowledge; becoming a new young generation of academics and clinicians with the commitment to develop such a level of excellence in which they can assimilate new information over time and adapt it to their clinical practice. Continue education in dentistry is not a terminal process, rather is the beginning of an apprenticeship that the graduate must continue for life.

 

According to an interview with Dr. Charles N. Bertolami by Inside Dentistry (June, 2013), a worldwide leader in educational model and curriculum, nowadays dental schools attempts to reach a balance between emotional intelligence, scientific judgment, and technical excellence in dentistry. He stated: “the objective is not to convert every dentist into a scientist. Rather, the purpose is to make every dentist a man or woman of science”. The research-educational model proposed by Dr. Bertolami promotes the intellectual and critical curiosity of dental students to select their own criteria, allowing them to assimilate new developments and transfer that knowledge to clinical practice. Moreover, all information created by research models in dental schools requires an academic pathway for the proper dissemination of ideas, and results. In consequence, academic publications remain an important achievement of a Faculty of Dentistry to pursuit excellence in oral and dental research and international recognition.

 

In 1999, our Faculty of Dentistry initiated the publication of Odovtos Journal. Over these years, Odovtos has achieved much, and grown in reputation and presence to become the leading national journal in the field. Currently, a renewed Editorial aims to achieve international recognition based on these new paradigms, thus the title was modified and the Art design renovated. Moreover, we complement the journal with varied sections to increase readers interests, such as New Perspective Articles which give us an insight of the 60th Anniversary of adhesive dentistry, also some features about the use of Hydrofluoric Acid. Furthermore, this issue is enriched by an analysis of the role of early life experiences on health, a minimally invasive dentistry approach, a prevalence study on dental trauma, genetic transmission analysis of amelogenesis imperfecta among generations, bonding procedures, marginal seal and microbial research models.

 

Odovtos International Journal of Dental Sciences challenges remain to focus on critical and innovative data, encouraging relevant clinical, academic and scientific research. As we begin this 16th issue, we must ensure to publish novel high-quality articles promoting a direct impact to the practice of clinical dentistry.