ISSN 0103-6440 print version
ISSN 1806-4760 online version

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• Scope and policy
• Form and preparation of manuscripts
• Sending of manuscripts

Original papers will be considered for publication with the understanding that they are contributed solely to the BRAZILIAN DENTAL JOURNAL. In submitting an article, the author(s) should state in the cover letter that the material has not been published previously and is not under consideration by another journal.

Brazilian Dental Journal
Fundação Odontológica de Ribeirão Preto Av. do Café, s/n
14040-904 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
Fax: +55-16-633-0999 E-mails: bdj@forp.usp.br, pecora@forp.usp.br

The Journal publishes Full-Length Papers, Short Communications and Case Reports, dealing with dentistry or related disciplines. Manuscripts must be submitted in English and must be accompanied by a diskette or CD-ROM.

Authors whose primary language is not English must have their article reviewed by someone proficient in English. Articles accepted for publication will be submitted to English and technical reviews in order to fit into the Journal's standards. The costs will be charged to the author(s). Submission of an article to BDJ implies in the acceptance of these terms. The decision of acceptance for publication lies with the Editors and is based on the recommendation of the Editorial Board and/or ad hoc reviewers.

The following guidelines must be followed carefully.

General

• Three complete sets of the manuscript (including tables and legends) along with three sets of illustrations (photographs, photomicrographs, schematic drawings, etc) must be submitted.
• The authors' names, institutions and address for correspondence should appear on only ONE copy. The other two copies will be sent to the referees for scientific evaluation. The complete address, including e-mail and phone number of one author must be indicated for correspondence.
• A ¾ diskette or CD-ROM must accompany the manuscript with the file in Word as well as the .TIF or .JPEG files, if applicable.
• The manuscript must be printed double-spaced, on good quality paper, with ample margins (3 cm) at the top, bottom and both sides. Pages should be numbered consecutively, starting with the title page.
• Full-length papers are assembled in the following sections:

1) Title Page
2) Summary and Key Words
3) Introduction, Material and Methods, Results, and Discussion
4) Summary in Portuguese (these three items are necessary for Latin American Indexing Services and will be provided for non-Brazilian authors by the Journal)
5) Acknowledgements (if any)
6) References
7) Tables (each on a separate page)
8) Figure legends
9) Figures

• Results and Discussion may be joined, if desired. Short Communications and Case Reports should be divided into appropriate sections.
• Material and equipment: the trade name must be followed by the manufacturer's name, city, state and country, within parentheses upon first mention. For further mentions, only the manufacturer's name is required;
• All abbreviations must be explained at first mention.

Title page

• On the first page of ONE copy should be typed the title, author(s) name(s) (no more than 6) and their institution(s), and the name and address of the author for correspondence. DO NOT INCLUDE the author's titles (DDS, MSc, PhD, etc.) or position.
• The other 2 copies are for the referees; they shall contain only the title of the article, the short title and no other identification.
• A short title (no more than 40 spaces) should be provided for use as a running head.

Summary

• On a separate page, a summary of no more than 200 words should state the aims, methods, results, and any conc1usions drawn from the study.
• A list of key words (no more than 5) should be inc1uded below the summary.

Introduction

• Summarize the purpose of the study, giving only pertinent references. Do not review existing literature extensively. State clearly the working hypothesis.

Material and Methods

• Material and methods should be presented in sufficient detail to allow confirmation of the observations. Indicate the statistical methods used, if applicable.

Results

• Present the results in a logical sequence in the text, tables and figures.
• Do not repeat the same data in both tables and figures.
• Do not repeat in the text all data in the tables and illustrations. The important observations should be emphasized.
• Report statistical data in Results section.

Discussion

• Summarize the findings without repeating in detail the data given in the Results section.
• Relate your observations to other relevant studies and point out the implications of the findings and their limitations.
• Present your conclusions within the Discussion, indicating how your study is pertinent and/or clinical implications.

Summary in Portuguese (for Brazilian authors only)

• This summary should present the same information and structure as the English version (Summary). DO NOT include title and key words in Portuguese.

Acknowledgements

• Financial support by government agencies should be acknowledged. If appropriate, technical assistance or assistance from colleagues may be acknowledged.

References

• References must follow the Journal's style.
• References must be numbered consecutively in the text in order of citation, within parentheses. DO NOT USE superscript numbers.
• The reference list must be typed double-spaced at the end of the article in numeric sequence.
• No more than 20 references may be cited.
• Abbreviations of journal titles should conform to those used in Dental Index. The style and punctuation of references must follow the format illustrated below:

Journal articles
1. Lea SC, Landini G, Walmsley AD. A novel method for the evaluation of powered toothbrush oscillation characteristics. Am J Dent 2004;17:307-309.
Book
2. Shafer WG, Hine MK, Levy BM. A Textbook of Oral Pathology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1983.
Chapter in a Book
3. Walton RE, Rotstein I. Bleaching discolored teeth: internal and external. In: Principles and Practice of Endodontics. Walton RE (Editor). 2nd ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 1996. p 385-400.
Thesis
4. Sousa-Neto MD. Estudo da influência de diferentes tipos de breus e resinas hidrogenadas sobre as propriedades físico-químicas do cimento obturador dos canais radiculares do tipo Grossman. [Doctoral thesis]. Ribeirão Preto: Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo; 1997. 108 p.

Tables

• Each table with its title must be typed double-spaced on a separate page at the end of the manuscript. Tables should be numbered with Arabic numerals. Vertical lines should not be used.
• Tables must contain all necessary information and be understandable without alluding to the text.

Figures

• Three sets of figures should be submitted. BDJ will not accept figures embedded in files originated in text-editing software (Word or similar) or figures originated in Power Point.
• Digital images should be generated in Photoshop or any other software exclusive for image editing (image files should have TIF or JPG extension and 300 dpi minimum resolution).
• Either unmounted black India ink drawings of professional quality or unmounted glossy photographs are accepted. Computer-generated artwork must be laser-printed.
• All figure legends should be DOUBLE-SPACED, numbered with Arabic numerals and typed on a separate page
• Lettering and identifying marks must be clear and sharp, and the critical areas of X-rays and photomicrographs are isolated.
• Separate parts of composite figures must be labeled with letters A, B, C, etc.
• Single figures may not exceed 8 cm in width or groups of figures may not exceed 16 cm in width.
• Figures should be labeled on the back with the title of the article, number of the figure and top (indicate with an arrow) and placed in an envelope.
• Only BLACK & WHITE figures are accepted. Do not send color figures or slides.

Three complete sets of the manuscript, illustrations and tables must be submitted.

The authors' names, institutions and address for correspondence should appear on only ONE copy. The other two copies will be sent to the referees for scientific evaluation.

The complete address, including e-mail, of one author must be indicated for correspondence.

The manuscript must be accompanied by a diskette with the file in Word.

The manuscript must be printed double-spaced, on good quality paper, with ample margins (3-4 cm) at the top, bottom and both sides.

Pages should be numbered consecutively, starting with the title page.

Full-length papers are assembled in the following sections:

1) Title Page
2) Summary and Key Words
3) Introduction, Material and Methods, Results, and Discussion
4) Title, Summary and Key Words in Portuguese (these 3 items are necessary for Latin American Indexing Services and will be provided for non-Brazilian authors by the Journal)
5) References
6) Tables (each on a separate page)
7) Figure legends
8) Figures

Results and Discussion may be joined, if desired. Short Communications and Case Reports should be divided into appropriate sections.

The trade name of material used must be followed by the manufacturer, city, state and country, within parentheses upon first mention.

All abbreviations must be explained at first mention.