Abstract
As we welcome in the dawn of 2024, the arrival of the new year brings with it a sense of optimism. It is also a time to relax and unwind with family and friends, whether it be during “summer” season in the Southern Hemisphere or the “winter” season in the Northern Hemisphere. Personally, I find myself amidst the scorching Australian summer, donning shorts, and savoring barbeques in the blistering 40 °C heat, watching the Boxing Day cricket match, Aussies versus Pakistan, and relaxing with the kids over the Christmas school holidays. Conversely, if you’re living in the Northern Hemisphere, you may embrace the chill, wrapping yourselves in coats and scarves, while the driveways and roads are blanketed with snow. It's the season for skiing and reveling in the crisp, wintry weather.
The inaugural issue of the Journal for the year 2024 marks a significant milestone as it transitions to a fully online format. This new chapter holds the promise of fresh beginnings and opportunities for growth and transformation. It is also a time to acknowledge and express our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated reviewers who diligently contribute to the peer-review process. These individuals uphold the quality, credibility, and integrity of the manuscripts that are published in the journal.
The peer-review process begins with submission of the author's work, followed by checks for anonymity and quality of figures and tables. Subsequently, the manuscript undergoes review by three expert reviewers, who have 30 days to assess, provide constructive feedback, and make recommendations to the Editor. These recommendations may include acceptance, minor revision, major revision or rejection. Rarely is a manuscript accepted without any revisions. The manuscript is returned to the author to revise in accordance with the feedback received. Once the revisions are made, the manuscript is resubmitted for re-evaluation by the original reviewers. This process continues until the article is accepted in its final form. Once accepted, the author signs a contributor form, the manuscript undergoes copy editing, the figures, tables and references are checked, and it is forwarded to SAGE for publication. It undergoes typesetting and the author is provided with a final copy for proofreading, prior to publication as an ‘OnlineFirst’ article before its inclusion in an issue. Manuscripts which do not meet the required standards are assessed by the Editor, and the author is informed. Common reasons for rejection include a lack of relevance to our readers, subpar writing quality, or substantial inconsistencies with the results and statistics. In such cases, we strive to work with authors to enhance their submission or find a more appropriate journal for their work.
As we embark on the year 2024, I am delighted to announce that the Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry has entered into a new 5-year contract with SAGE publishing. The journal looks forward to publishing six issues a year, each featuring eight articles spanning various dental disciplines and species, including dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, wildlife, and exotics. We also have an issue dedicated to local anesthesia in the pipeline. I am proud to report that we have successfully achieved our initial goal of publishing all issues in the last two years “on-time.” Submissions have continued to remain strong, with 60 submissions received in both 2022 and 2023 and an acceptance rate of 83%. Dr Lewis has continued insightful interviews with several veterinarians and key stakeholders, and these podcasts are available on the Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry's website: https://www.veterinarydentistry.org/
The Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry continues to maintain a solid financial position and maintains focus on its commitment to three core pillars: Education, Research, and Outreach.
Education: Funding of the University grant program. The Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry last year provided four $15,000 grants, totaling $60,000 to the following four Universities – Oregon State University; University of Tennessee; University of Arizona and University of Georgia. Research: The Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry continues to support research grants. Information is available on the website and a Call for Research grant applications is given mid-year. Outreach: In 2023, the Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry provided support for the ‘Make Me Smile’ program, designed to make shelter pets more adoptable. The program equips shelter veterinarians and technicians with the training necessary to conduct comprehensive oral health, assessment and treatment for animals awaiting adoption. Andrew Schultz, FVD director, worked with the leadership of the shelters to determine their needs and to ensure the equipment would be used for training associated with the donation grant. Additional information and opportunities to make donations can be found on our website: https://www.veterinarydentistry.org/programs/make-me-smile
I hope you enjoy reading this issue, which includes a diverse group of manuscripts covering topics such as surgery, equine dentistry, exotics, and periodontology. This issue features an article on acanthomatous ameloblastomas, an innovative palatal defect repair technique, and classification of peripheral odontogenic fibromas, as well as research related to periodontal inflammation and oral mucosal defects, computed tomography of equine heads, and an examination of premolar teeth in Babyrousa spp. I hope these articles will captivate your interest and provide enjoyable reading, ideally accompanied by a cup of tea or two, over the weekend.
To our reviewers, both past and present, I extend my deepest gratitude, for your invaluable expertise and commitment to upholding the standard of excellence that the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry has maintained, and we have enjoyed over the last four decades.
I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with lots of fun, happiness, and good health.
Warmest Regards