Editorial Board Member of the month

by Jennifer Harman, Editor

JH: Tell us a bit about yourself and your current focus of research

ZNAD: I am Ziad N AL-Dwairi, Professor of Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry at Jordan University of Science and Technology and Visiting Professor of Prosthodontics at the City of London Dental School (UK). I am currently on the Editorial Board of BMC Oral Health and handle manuscripts relating to clinical oral health research. I am also an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Dental Medicine (Dental Materials section) and act as a reviewer for many high impact international journals in Dentistry. Recently, I have been recognized as a top-cited author in the Journal of Prosthodontics for 2020/2021 by Wiley Publishing group. My research interests include, but are not limited to, digital dentistry, prosthodontics, esthetic dentistry, dental implantology, restorative dentistry and endodontics, dental materials and legal aspects of dental practice.

JH: What do you think is the most fascinating recent development in oral health?

ZNAD:

1. Artificial intelligence is allowing clinicians to find the best treatment options for their patients.
2. Teledentistry is increasing the ability of vulnerable patients to access dental care and supporting the delivery of oral health services.
3. Advances in digital dentistry, such as computer-assisted design and manufacturing, 3D printing, and intraoral imaging, increase oral health care's efficiency, accuracy, and safety while decreasing costs. 
4. The development of stem cell-based technologies shows promising potential to restore, repair and regenerate dental tissues.

JH: Is there an area of oral health that you think is currently under-explored?

ZNAD:

1. Special Care dentistry and provision of dental services in specialized centres. Research should be directed to this important sector of the population to assess their oral and dental status and ensure they benefit from recent advances in oral care.
2. Translation of artificial intelligence and regenerative medicine technologies to the clinic.
3. Long-term clinical trials to assess survival, success and efficiency of newly developed dental materials and digital technologies.

JH: Where do you see (or where would you like to see) the oral health field in 10 years from now?

ZNAD: I  expect significant developments in materials and techniques focusing on preventive aspects of dentistry to improve the oral health standards. I also see the translation of regenerative medicine to the clinic to prevent and control dental caries, periodontal disease, and subsequent tooth loss.

JH: What does it mean to you to be an Editorial Board Member (EBM) for BMC Oral Health?

ZNAD: Being on the BMC Oral Health Editorial Board helps improve my Editorial and reviewer capabilities. The BMC Series Editorial Community shares helpful guidance to help board members in their roles. The position also allows me to network and communicate with colleagues from different dental specialties worldwide and facilitates collaboration.

JH: What is one piece of advice you would give to reviewers as an EBM handling manuscripts?

ZNAD: Ask what the research adds to the current literature? Are the methods suitable to address the aim? Are the conclusions supported by the data described? If appropriate, suggest ideas and ways to improve the quality of the research presented. 

JH: What is one piece of advice you would give to the authors of submitted manuscripts?

ZNAD: Carefully read and follow the submission guidelines and recommended reporting standards to ensure the efficient progression of your manuscript through peer review. Clearly describe what your research adds to knowledge and the current literature. Editorial and Reviewer feedback may improve the quality of your manuscript. Ensure all comments from the Editor and Reviewers are addressed thoroughly in your rebuttal letter. Teamwork and collaborative research are important steps that all authors should consider.

JH: What would you change in scientific publishing if you could?

ZNAD: Award top handling Editors or Reviewers for their efforts to support their scientific visibility. Offer more opportunities for early career researchers to engage with the peer review and publication process to further their careers.

• Interview with Dr Yongchun Gu, Editorial Board Member of the month, September 2021
• Interview with Dr Aditi Chopra, Editorial Board Member of the month, October 2021
• Interview with Dr Antonino Lo Giudice, Editorial Board Member of the month, November 2021
• Interview with Dr Kunaal Dhingra, Editorial Board Member of the month, December 2021
• Interview with Dr Cristina Grippaudo, Editorial Board Member of the month, January 2022 
• Interview with Dr Aliye Akcalı, Editorial Board Member of the month, February 2022
• Interview with Dr Nandita Kshetrimayum, Editorial Board Member of the month, March 2022