EDITORIAL (2008)

Welcome to the January 2008 issue of the International Endodontic Journal! I hope you have noticed already the changes we have made to the format and style of the journal. The purpose of this editorial is to let you know more about the fundamental changes we have made to the Editorial Board, in particular, the appointment of several Associate Editors who will support me in the next stage of the Journal’s development. The scope of the International Endodontic Journal remains the same, that is, to be a leading international forum for publications in the field of Endodontology, the branch of dental sciences dealing with health, injuries to and diseases of the pulp and periradicular region, and their relationship with systemic well-being and health. The Journal will continue to be published monthly, and strive to publish peer-reviewed original articles of the highest international quality. Original scientific articles will be published in the areas of biomedical science, applied materials science, bioengineering, epidemiology and social science relevant to endodontic disease and its management, and to the restoration of root canal treated teeth. Relevant review articles, clinical reports, book reviews, summaries and abstracts of scientific meetings, news items and advertizing features will also be considered. The values, mission, aims and key objectives of the International Endodontic Journal provide a clear foundation for our ongoing strategies, policies, action plans and specific targets as we progress towards our vision of being a top-ranked scientific Journal, noted for our contributions to clinical science and for the service we provide to our readers and contributing authors. To be the very best in the world is the most challenging goal we can set ourselves. Only by striving for the very highest international standards in research and clinical innovation can we realize the full potential of the academic and clinical communities and encouraging the highest standards of patient care. The International Endodontic Journal acknowledges the competitive environment in which it operates, and strives to serve the needs of a diverse readership. The Editorial Board seeks to support authors and assist those preparing scientific and clinical reports that may have a significant bearing on clinical science and patient care. The mission of the Editorial Board is underpinned by the desire to create an atmosphere of excellence, integrity and innovation within a culture of dignity, inclusiveness, courtesy and respect. Our key objectives are: To publish scientific, review and clinical articles within the broad field of Endodontology To support authors in disseminating their research findings to the widest possible readership To inspire authors to undertake and report randomized controlled trials To encourage authors to undertake and submit original laboratory-based scientific articles To encourage authors to undertake and submit literature reviews on topical issues To encourage authors to develop and report advances in clinical care, innovative techniques and case reports To support individual, society, commercial and institutional subscribers To support these challenging goals the International Endodontic Journal has assembled a team of international experts in Endodontology to ensure papers of the highest quality and clinical relevance are published. Details of the Editorial Board appear below, including the Editorial Co-ordinator who controls the Editorial Office and the Manuscript Central website that is used to manage the editorial process. The Consultant Editors will have the role of advising the Editor-in-Chief on the strategic direction and future development of the journal. The Associate Editors will have a more hands-on role and, amongst other activities, will be responsible for: the critical appraisal and processing of papers in defined areas of Endodontology; assisting in the identification of specialist referees and the creation of a team of referees with special interest/expertise in their defined area of Endodontology; developing and applying quality guidelines for the acceptance and rejection of papers and to ensure balance in areas of controversy. The Associate Editors have been selected for their specialist knowledge and expertise in research and clinical practice. John Whitworth has passed on the Clinical Section to Jeremy Hayes and, from 2008 onwards, will take on the role of overseeing Review Articles. The other Associate Editors will take responsibility for key areas of Endodontology: Michael Hülsmann will take over responsibility for papers submitted under the broad heading of ‘canal preparation’; Min-Kai Wu will take on papers in the field of canal filling; Kishor Gulabivala will oversee submissions on endodontic microbiology; Ove Peters will be responsible for papers on pulp biology and Matthias Zehnder will oversee submissions on several topics including Disinfectants and Immunology. The remaining Board members will contribute to the critical appraisal of manuscripts as well as the promotion of the journal and associated activities. I am delighted to have such a talented and dynamic support structure to ensure the International Endodontic Journal achieves its vision and mission and delivers on its key objectives. The Editorial Board of the International Endodontic Journal consists of: I would like to acknowledge and thank the following referees for their critical appraisal of papers received during 2007. Without their commitment, dedication and expertise the International Endodontic Journal could not maintain its position as the leading publication in the field of Endodontology. Paul Abbott, Guido Aesaert, Michael Ahlquist, Phil Atkin, Graham Bailey, Michael Baumann, Ellen Berggreen, Lars Bergmans, Lars Bjørndal, Patrick Bogaerts, Peter Bolhuis, Peter Briggs, Benjamin Briseño, Josette Camilleri, Dermot Canavan, Peter Carrotte, Barbara Chadwick, Nick Chandler, Gary Cheung, Bun San Chong, David Cohen, Ben Cole, Ian Corbett, Margaret Corson, Elisabetta Cotti, Mieke De Bruyne, Roeland De Moor, Chris Deery, Nick Drage, Peter Duckmanton, Ashraf ElAyouti, Chris Emery, Unni Endal, Carlos Estrela, Kevin Fairbrother, David Figdor, José Figueiredo, Ashraf Fouad, Paul Franklin, Inge Fristad, Matt German, Alan Gilmour, Gerald Glickman, Alan Gluskin, René Gruythuysen, Kishor Gulabivala, James Gutmann, Markus Haapasalo, Sivaka Rethnam Haug, Jeremy Hayes, Neil Heath, Keith Horner, Preben Hørsted-Blindslev, Tony Hoskinson, Michael Hülsmann, Richard Ibbetson, Peter Jacobsen, Lise-Lotte Kirkevang, Thomas Kvist, Paul Lambrechts, Howard Lloyd, Matthew Locke, Claus Löst, Robert Love, Phil Lumley, Pierre Machtou, Francesco Mannocci, Michael Manogue, Paul McCabe, Robert McConnell, Harold Messer, Anders Molander, Akhila Muthukrishnan, Paul Myers, Ram Nair, Brian Nattress, Yuan-Ling Ng, Takashi Okiji, Dag Ørstavik, Peter Parashos, Shanon Patel, Christine Peters, Linda Peters, Ove Peters, Kerstin Petersson, Heather Pitt-Ford, Thomas Pitt Ford, Isabella Portenier, Philip Preshaw, Alison Qualtrough, Jeremy Rees, John Regan, Kathrin Reichenmiller, Claes Reit, John Rhodes, Bill Saunders, Elizabeth Saunders, Edgar Schäfer, Geoff Seccombe, Christine Sedgley, Bilge Sen, Ann Shearer, Sharan Sidhu, Asgeir Sigurdsson, Alastair Sloan, David Spratt, Phil Stashenko, Hideaki Suda, Aviad Tamse, Franklin Tay, Leo Tjäderhane, Dimitrios Tziafas, Luc van der Sluis, Peter Velvart, Frank Vertucci, Thomas von Arx, William Wade, William A Walker, Angus Walls, Damien Walmsley, Tuomas Waltimo, Paula Waterhouse, Roland Weiger, Richard Welbury, Paul Wesselink, John Whitworth, David Witherspoon, Min-Kai Wu and Matthias Zehnder.