Here’s to JOE: Continuing Our Q&A Series With Editorial Board Member Dr. Ariadne Letra
The year 2025 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Endodontics. Ahead of this milestone, AAE Assistant Director of Communications & Publishing Elisabeth Lisican asked JOE Associate Editor Dr. Ariadne Letra to reflect on her memorable moments and look ahead to the future of the Journal.
Role and Contributions
Elisabeth Lisican: Can you share your journey and how you became a member of the Editorial Board Committee for the Journal of Endodontics?
Dr. Ariadne Letra: I was an advisory board member of the Journal since 2011 and truly enjoyed the reviewer experience. When a vacancy in the EBC opened in 2020, I was nominated by a couple of colleagues and encouraged to apply.
Lisican: What specific roles and responsibilities do you have as an Editorial Board member?
Dr. Letra: EBC members have several roles and responsibilities – once a manuscript is assigned to me as handling editor, my first responsibility is to ensure it passes duplicate and similarity analysis, then select potential reviewers based on the manuscript classification matches or on reviewers’ self-declared expertise. Another responsibility is to ensure a timely and fair review process and weighing out reviewers’ recommendations to communicate a decision to the authors. Additional responsibilities include summarizing selected manuscripts to feature in the monthly Editorials, reviewing and voting on manuscripts nominated for the JOE Publication Awards, among others.
Experiences and Highlights
Lisican: What have been some of the most rewarding experiences during your tenure on the Editorial Board?
Dr. Letra: Being at the forefront of clinical and basic science advancements as we read, first-hand, the results of many excellent manuscripts received. Another very rewarding experience is the opportunity to work with wonderful, bright, and motivated colleagues in the JOE EBC team and staff.
Lisican: Are there any particular articles or issues published during your time that stand out to you?
Dr. Letra: There are quite a few on my favorite list [Smiles.]
Challenges and Solutions
Lisican: What are some of the common challenges you face in your role, and how do you address them?
Dr. Letra: Finding the most appropriate reviewer for some manuscripts may be challenging at times. As endodontic research expands and incorporates new concepts, such as the application of artificial intelligence and genetics in endodontic research, so does the need to diversity our scientific advisory member expertise. I am thankful for the support of many scientific advisory members that volunteer their time and expertise to the Journal.
Lisican: How do you ensure the quality and integrity of the research published in the Journal?
Dr. Letra: An important first step is to leverage various useful tools within the Elsevier’s editorial management system for verification of manuscript duplication and similarity across many databases. Second, I strive to select the most appropriate reviewers for each manuscript based on their prior publications and expertise (and hope they are able to accept my invitation to review). Ensuring that both manuscripts and reviews are free of biases and conflicts of interest is also another responsibility to keep the high-quality standards of research published in the JOE.
Impact and Influence
Lisican: In your opinion, how has the Journal of Endodontics influenced the field of endodontics?
Dr. Letra: I believe the JOE has influenced many generations of endodontists, students, and additional dental professionals wanting to find the best available evidence on clinical procedures and basic science research driving the field and endodontic patient care.
Lisican: Can you provide examples of how the Journal has advanced endodontic research and practice
Dr. Letra: Endodontics has advanced significantly as a specialty, and mostly due to research that led to important discoveries or shed new light on known concepts and how these may translate into improved patient care. For example, the basic science studies and clinical reports of regenerative endodontic procedures have been instrumental in envisioning the next step in pulp regeneration procedures. Other advances include the use of high-throughput next generation sequencing technologies to better understand the host and microbial contributions to pulp/periapical disease, and importantly, the well-designed clinical studies to answer several questions in the endodontic realm.
Future of the Journal
Lisican: What trends or advancements do you anticipate in endodontic research in the coming years?
Dr. Letra: Many advancements are on the horizon, especially with the ease of access to research data and sophisticated research tools including high-throughput sequencing technologies of host and microbial genomes and transcriptomes, artificial intelligence algorithms aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment planning, guided systems in endodontics, and leveraging endodontic and systemic health information for a holistic approach to understanding pulp/periapical disease and associated co-morbidities.
Advice for Authors
Lisican: What advice would you give to researchers looking to publish their work in the Journal of Endodontics?
Dr. Letra: A good starting point is to make sure the work is within the scope of the Journal, and that it meets the scientific rigor and submission requirements.
Personal Reflections
Lisican: How has your involvement with the Journal of Endodontics impacted your own professional development and research?
Dr. Letra: I have learned to fully appreciate the roles of all involved in scientific publishing, namely authors, reviewers, editors, and publishing staff. Being an editorial board member has also given me the privilege to assist authors in their publishing journey.
Lisican: What do you enjoy most about being a part of the Editorial Board?
Dr. Letra: Working with wonderful colleagues who are committed to elevating the endodontics specialty.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary
Lisican: What does the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Endodontics mean to you?
Dr. Letra: This milestone anniversary represents a time stamp for many generations of authors, reviewers, editors, and readers who have contributed to and benefited from the work published in the journal.
Lisican: What message would you like to convey to the journal’s readers and contributors?
Dr. Letra: I would ask that contributors and readers keep the journal as their number one source of information for evidence-based endodontic care and research.
Looking Back and Ahead
Lisican: Reflecting on your time with the Journal, what are you most proud of?
Dr. Letra: I am proud to see the work of many talented contributors being recognized with the JOE Publication Awards.
Lisican: What are your hopes for the future of the Journal of Endodontics and its impact on the field?
Dr. Letra: My hopes are that the JOE continues to feature highly innovative clinical and cutting-edge research to steward the specialty into a future where precision diagnosis and treatment becomes a reality.