Abstract
Respected Seniors and My Dear Friends
While I sit down to write what is going to be my first editorial, I cannot but think of the eminent orthodontists who have been the editors of our journal and the support provided by the office bearers and members of the Indian Orthodontic Society. Every editor of this journal has contributed their best to the success of this journal. As the 14th editor, my team is standing on the shoulder of giants. I request your support and blessings to take our journal to its rightful position.
While I was pondering on what to write, I came across this blog by Kevin O Brien (
The second most important step is to have a “relook” at the MDS research including dissertations. What research do we do then? While it is important that we encourage our students to attend standard research methodology workshops and programs conducted by IOS, we have to publish what orthodontists would like to read. They would like to read what is of clinical utility to them and thus helps them in clinical practice. Cephalometric norms and in vitro bond strength studies with their inherent disadvantages 2 are passé. The simplest way is to look at the articles published in the “Big” orthodontic journals and address the lacunae or drawbacks mentioned in these manuscripts.
The next step is to convert our “library dissertations” into “systematic reviews/meta analysis” (SR/MA). While this is going on in a few institutions, it is an idea worth emulating in all our postgraduate institutes. While, the question as to whether there would be enough research questions, it is still a good starting point in terms of learning. The advantage is that the SRs have high visibility and a better chance of being quoted. A further step would be to attempt multi-center trials by like-minded departments on a similar topic. A multi-center randomized control trial would attract any editor/publisher.
In the meanwhile, please convert your research into a manuscript. Rejection might happen, it will happen but it is important that we try. In that context, feel proud to have tried. This speech by Roosevelt is meant to enthuse you.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming.
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As Orthodontists are fond of saying “Get the plaster on the table”—in research and clinical terms. The next step is to ensure that the manuscripts published in our journal are read and more importantly quoted. This is a vicious cycle as only “quality” manuscripts get visibility and this visibility is influenced by indexing.
The Indian Orthodontic Society is doing its utmost in supporting our journal. It has lined up multiple sessions/programs to improve the visibility of our journal. We also have plans to ensure that we get the recognition we deserve in the global scenario. It is a long road but the journey has started. Orthodontic Week Celebrations/IOS Founders Day and its related programs are all done with the objective of spreading awareness. Let us join the president, secretary, and society to make it a grand success.
Around 300 of our published copies are returned due to address issues (pun not intended). Our president and secretary have advised us to ensure that every member receives our journal. We are in the process of updating the addresses. Until then, we will try our best to ensure the availability of a “soft copy.” Those of you, who receive the journal and have access to the “soft copy,” please read the manuscripts. Send your feedback in the form of a letter to the editor. The path to success starts with us. You can also reach us on social media. Please feel free to share your ideas.
So what is the first step? Read the editorial in the previous issue by our immediate past editor, Dr. Puneet Batra. 4 The team has done extremely well, especially in the face of the global pandemic. Although he has signed off in the previous editorial, this would be his last issue. Until I meet you via my next editorial, I think it is appropriate to quote Mother Teresa, “Take care of the family first.” The Indian Orthodontic Society and its journals are a family.
Jai JIOS! Jai IOS! Jai Hind!