About the Journal

A. Focus and Scope

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access, BM&DC recognized journal published biannually in January and July. The journal aims to foster advancements in dental research, clinical practices, and innovations that enhance oral health care outcomes globally. We publish high-quality, original research articles, case reports, and comprehensive review papers that contribute to the evolving field of dentistry. JCDS covers a broad spectrum of dental disciplines, including clinical, laboratory, and translational research, with an emphasis on addressing contemporary challenges and breakthroughs in dental science.

 Scope:

  • Original Research: The JCDS publishes original research articles that present novel, methodologically sound findings relevant to all facets of oral health and dental science. We welcome submissions spanning basic, translational, clinical, epidemiological, and community-based research. Priority areas include, but are not limited to, molecular and genomic sciences, periodontology, oral pathology and medicine, surgical and restorative specialties, pediatric and preventive dentistry, biomaterials, dental education, digital workflows, and artificial intelligence applications in dentistry.
  • Case Reports: Detailed reports of clinically significant cases that provide valuable insights into diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes in dental practice. Reports may include rare or unusual conditions, unexpected presentations of common diseases, diagnostic dilemmas, adverse reactions to therapies, rare complications of standard procedures, novel or modified treatment approaches, unusual combinations of diseases, cross-disciplinary therapeutic observations, ethical or management challenges, and other unique clinical experiences that contribute to evidence-based dental practice and improve patient care.
  • Review Articles: Comprehensive narrative reviews, systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and meta-analyses that summarize and critically evaluate current evidence on topics related to dentistry and oral health. Review articles should provide practical insights, identify knowledge gaps, and suggest future directions for research and clinical practice.

While our primary focus remains on the field of dentistry, we also welcome interdisciplinary contributions that highlight the intersections of dental science with other medical and health sciences. Research that bridges dentistry with systemic health issues, innovations in medical technology, and patient-centered care approaches will be considered.

Global Perspective:

JCDS seeks to create a global platform for the exchange of scientific knowledge, welcoming submissions from domestic and international authors. We are committed to promoting high ethical standards in scientific publishing and adhere to the guidelines of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).

B. Publication Ethics and Research Integrity

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences is dedicated to promoting honesty, transparency, reproducibility, and accountability in scholarly publishing. Authors are expected to conduct and report research responsibly while complying with internationally accepted ethical standards.

The journal investigates suspected cases of research misconduct, including plagiarism, duplicate publication, data fabrication, image manipulation, inappropriate authorship, citation manipulation, and unethical research practices, in accordance with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices and established editorial procedures.

C. Publication Frequency

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) is a biannual, peer-reviewed, open-access journal published twice a year, with one issue in January and one issue in July. The journal publishes two issues constituting one volume annually.

D. Open Access Policy

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) provides immediate, permanent, and free open access to all published content. The journal is committed to the principle that unrestricted access to high-quality scientific research promotes the global exchange of knowledge, enhances research visibility, and supports the advancement of dental science and oral healthcare.

All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, adaptation, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

E. Peer Review Policy

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of scientific quality, publication ethics, and research integrity. All manuscripts are evaluated through a double-blind peer-review process in accordance with the principles of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and the Journal Publishing Practices and Standards (JPPS).

Under the double-blind review system, the identities of both authors and reviewers remain confidential throughout the review process. Editorial decisions are based solely on the scientific quality, originality, ethical integrity, methodological rigor, and clinical relevance of the submitted work.

Peer Review Process

Step 1. Manuscript Submission

Authors should submit their manuscripts electronically through the Journal's Online Journal System (OJS). Submitted manuscripts must comply with the journal's Instructions for Authors, reporting guidelines, ethical standards, and publication policies.

If authors experience technical difficulties with the online submission system, they may contact the Editorial Office at jcds.sdc@gmail.com for assistance.

.Step 2. Initial Editorial Assessment

The Editorial Office performs an initial screening to evaluate:

  • Completeness of submission
  • Plagiarism screening for AI and Duplication
  • Compliance with author guidelines
  • Suitability within the journal's scope
  • Ethical approval and patient consent (where applicable)
  • Conflict of interest disclosure
  • Overall scientific quality

Manuscripts that do not meet the journal's basic requirements may be returned to the authors for technical correction or declined without external peer review (desk rejection).

Estimated timeline: Approximately 1–2 weeks

 Step 3. Assignment to Executive Editor

Suitable manuscripts are assigned to an appropriate Executive Editor according to the subject area and expertise.

The Executive Editor performs an additional scientific assessment before initiating external peer review.

Step 4. Double-Blind External Peer Review

Each manuscript is normally reviewed by independent experts in the relevant specialty.

Reviewers evaluate:

  • Originality and novelty
  • Scientific merit
  • Study design and methodology
  • Statistical analysis (where applicable)
  • Ethical compliance
  • Validity of results
  • Interpretation of findings
  • Quality of writing
  • Clinical and scientific significance
  • Appropriateness of references

Reviewer recommendations may include:

  • Accept
  • Minor Revision
  • Major Revision
  • Reject

If reviewer opinions differ substantially, the Executive Editor may invite an additional reviewer.

Estimated timeline: Approximately 2–3 weeks (14–21 days)

Step 5. Editorial Decision

The Executive Editor evaluates the reviewers' comments and submits a recommendation.

The Editor-in-Chief makes the final editorial decision based on:

  • Reviewer reports
  • Editorial assessment
  • Journal policies
  • Ethical considerations
  • Scientific quality

Authors receive an editorial decision together with anonymized reviewer comments.

Possible editorial decisions include:

  • Accept
  • Minor Revision
  • Major Revision
  • Reject

Estimated timeline: Approximately 1–2 weeks

 Step 6. Author Revision

Authors should submit:

  • A revised manuscript
  • A detailed point-by-point response addressing each reviewer comment

Failure to submit revisions within the requested period may result in withdrawal of the manuscript from further consideration.

Recommended timeline: Up to 14 days for most revisions (extensions may be granted upon request).

Step 7. Final Evaluation and Acceptance

Revised manuscripts are evaluated by the Executive Editor and, when necessary, returned to the original reviewers.

When all scientific, ethical, and editorial concerns have been satisfactorily addressed, the Editor-in-Chief grants final acceptance for publication.

Estimated timeline: Approximately 1–2 weeks

Step 8. Production

Accepted manuscripts undergo:

  • Copyediting
  • Technical editing
  • Typesetting
  • Proofreading
  • Author proof approval
  • DOI assignment
  • Final quality control

Authors are responsible for reviewing page proofs promptly before publication.

Estimated timeline: Approximately 2–4 weeks

Step 9. Publication

Accepted articles are published online after completion of production and are subsequently assigned to the next available issue.

JCDS publishes two regular issues annually: January and July

Assignment to a particular volume and issue is determined by the Editor-in-Chief based on:

  • Date of final acceptance
  • Completion of production
  • Available publication space
  • Editorial scheduling

Ethical Principles

JCDS follows the recommendations and best practices of:

  • International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE)
  • Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
  • Journal Publishing Practices and Standards (JPPS)

All editors and reviewers are expected to:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality.
  • Declare any conflicts of interest.
  • Evaluate manuscripts objectively and fairly.
  • Avoid discrimination based on nationality, gender, institutional affiliation, or personal beliefs.
  • Report suspected plagiarism, duplicate publication, image manipulation, data fabrication, or other forms of research misconduct.

Any allegation of publication misconduct will be investigated according to COPE guidelines.

Manuscript Processing Timeline in summary:

Stage

Estimated Time

Initial Editorial Assessment

Approximately 1–2 weeks

External Double-Blind Peer Review

Approximately 2–3 weeks

Author Revision

Up to 2 weeks

Final Editorial Decision

Approximately 1–2 weeks

Copyediting & Production

Approximately 2–4 weeks

Submission to Acceptance

Approximately 6–10 weeks

Submission to Online Publication

Approximately 8–14 weeks

 

F. Plagiarism and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, and ethical publishing. All submitted manuscripts are expected to represent the authors' original work and comply with internationally accepted publication ethics, including the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME).

1. Plagiarism Policy

All manuscripts submitted to JCDS are screened for plagiarism before peer review and, where necessary, after revision using recognized plagiarism detection software.

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

  • Copying text, figures, tables, or ideas without appropriate acknowledgment.
  • Duplicate or redundant publication.
  • Self-plagiarism (text recycling) without proper citation.
  • Mosaic or patchwork plagiarism.
  • Improper paraphrasing of previously published work.
  • Failure to appropriately cite sources.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that all submitted work is original and that all sources are properly cited.

When substantial overlap with previously published material is identified, the Editorial Office will investigate the matter in accordance with the COPE Core Practices and COPE flowcharts. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the journal may:

  • Request clarification or revision from the authors.
  • Reject the manuscript.
  • Retract a published article if plagiarism is discovered after publication.
  • Notify the authors' affiliated institution(s), funding agency, or other relevant authorities when appropriate.

The journal does not rely solely on similarity percentages to determine plagiarism. Editorial assessment considers the nature, source, context, and extent of the overlapping material.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

JCDS recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies may be used to improve language, readability, grammar, formatting, or assist with data organization. However, AI technologies must be used responsibly and transparently.

AI-Assisted Writing

Authors may use AI-assisted tools (e.g., large language models or writing assistants) solely to improve the presentation of their manuscript, provided that:

  • Authors carefully review, edit, and verify all AI-generated content.
  • Authors accept full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, integrity, and scientific validity of the manuscript.
  • AI-generated content does not replace the authors' intellectual contribution, interpretation, or scientific judgment.

Authors should disclose the use of AI-assisted writing tools in the Acknowledgements or another appropriate section of the manuscript, including the name of the tool and a brief description of how it was used.

AI Cannot Be an Author

Artificial intelligence tools or software cannot be listed as authors or co-authors because they cannot:

  • Take responsibility for the work.
  • Meet the authorship criteria established by the ICMJE.
  • Approve the final manuscript.
  • Accept accountability for the published article.

Only human contributors who satisfy the ICMJE authorship criteria may be listed as authors.

AI-Generated Images, Figures, and Data

Unless explicitly permitted by the Editorial Office, manuscripts must not contain AI-generated or AI-manipulated clinical images, radiographs, pathology images, microscopy images, or research data that could misrepresent scientific findings.

Any AI-assisted image generation or image enhancement that materially affects scientific interpretation must be fully disclosed and may require editorial review.

Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of research data using AI constitutes scientific misconduct.

AI Detection

The journal may use AI detection or forensic assessment tools during editorial evaluation. However, AI detection software is used only as a supportive screening tool and not as definitive evidence of AI-generated content.

Editorial decisions are based on comprehensive human assessment, considering the manuscript's scientific merit, transparency, originality, and ethical compliance.

3. Editorial Actions

If plagiarism, undisclosed AI use, fabricated content, manipulated images, falsified data, or any other form of publication misconduct is suspected, the journal will investigate the matter in accordance with the COPE Core Practices and established editorial procedures.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the journal may:

  • Request clarification or corrections.
  • Require revision of the manuscript.
  • Reject the submission.
  • Publish a correction or retraction.
  • Notify the relevant institution(s) or funding agency, where appropriate.

4. Author Responsibility

By submitting a manuscript to the Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS), all authors confirm that:

  • The manuscript is original.
  • All sources have been properly acknowledged.
  • The work does not contain plagiarism or fabricated content.
  • Any use of AI-assisted technology has been appropriately disclosed.
  • All authors accept full responsibility for the integrity, accuracy, and ethical standards of the submitted work.

G. Copyright and Licensing Policy

Authors who publish in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain all copyright of their work without restriction.
  2. Authors grant the Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) the right of first publication, enabling the journal to publish the work as the original publisher.
  3. All published articles are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.

Under the CC BY 4.0 License, anyone may:     

  • Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
  • Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, including commercial use.

These permissions are granted provided that the following license terms are met:

  • Attribution — Appropriate credit must be given to the original author(s), a link to the CC BY 4.0 License must be provided, and any changes made must be indicated. Attribution should not suggest that the author(s) or the journal endorses the reuse.
  • No Additional Restrictions — No legal terms or technological measures may be applied that legally restrict others from exercising the rights granted by the license.

For the full license text, please visit the Creative Commons website:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

H. Journal Ownership

The Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) is owned by Sapporo Dental College & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, which is responsible for the journal's publication, management, and long-term sustainability. The owner supports the journal's operations while respecting the editorial independence of the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board.

I. Article Processing Charges (APCs) and Submission Fees
The Journal of Contemporary Dental Sciences (JCDS) does not charge any article submission fees, article processing charges (APCs), publication fees, or page charges. All manuscripts are processed, reviewed, and published free of charge..

J. Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.

K. Publisher

Sapporo Dental College & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh