Here’s to JOE: Continuing Our Q&A Series With Editorial Board Member Dr. Linda G. Levin
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 longtime JOE Associate Editor Dr. Linda G. Levin 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. Linda G. Levin: I was approached by Dr. Hargreaves and asked to join the editorial board after a combined career in academics, research and clinical endodontic practice.
Lisican: What specific roles and responsibilities do you have as an Editorial Board member?
Dr. Levin: My primary responsibility as an Editorial Board member is to review manuscripts and assign them to the appropriate reviewers. I am then tasked with reviewing their critiques and making a decision on the acceptance or rejection of an article. As an associate editor I am a member of the editorial board which has input on administration of the journal, selection of papers for awards and review of certain advertisements for their appropriateness.
Experiences and Highlights
Lisican: What have been some of the most rewarding experiences during your tenure on the Editorial Board?
Dr. Levin: It has been rewarding to see how the fruits or our hard work have contributed to the high impact score that the JOE enjoys.
Challenges and Solutions
Lisican: What are some of the common challenges you face in your role, and how do you address them?
Dr. Levin: The biggest challenge that I face as an associate editor is selecting willing reviewers and assisting them in following an efficient time line for review and then making decisions on acceptance of a manuscript.
Lisican: How do you ensure the quality and integrity of the research published in the journal?
Dr. Levin: A process is followed whereby the associate editors review a submission for academic novelty and integrity using multiple tools available to us through our publisher. Medline searches and reviews also help us confirm that the research is original. Our review process utilizes members of our Scientific Advisory Board to review manuscripts and use their knowledge and expertise to insure that only high quality original studies are accepted for publication.
Impact and Influence
Lisican: In your opinion, how has the Journal of Endodontics influenced the field of endodontics?
Dr. Levin: The Journal of Endodontics is the number one source of evidence-based knowledge for the Endodontist. It has allowed both the clinician as well as the academician to base their teachings and practice on sound scientific principles. As such, the JOE has enhanced the quality of care in Endodontics.
Future of the Journal
Lisican: What trends or advancements do you anticipate in endodontic research in the coming years
Dr. Levin: Technology including artificial intelligence will continue to grow in endodontics and contribute to diagnosis and treatment.
Lisican: How do you see the Journal of Endodontics adapting to these changes?
Dr. Levin: The JOE will continue to publish studies that evaluate the effectiveness of technologies and AI in Endodontic care. Screening and detection of AI generated manuscripts will be crucial to insure the legitimacy of our journal. Hopefully AI generated aids for manuscript processing will increase our efficiency.
Advice for Authors
Lisican: What advice would you give to researchers looking to publish their work in the Journal of Endodontics?
Dr. Levin: High quality publications help us to maintain our effectiveness and utility to our members as well as our impact factor. Authors who wish to submit articles should look at the instructions to authors and make sure they format the manuscript properly and use AAE terminology.
Lisican: What common mistakes should authors avoid when submitting their manuscripts?
Dr. Levin: Make sure you follow the requested format, including that for references, if English is not your first language, have someone review your submission of grammar and spelling.
Personal Reflections
Lisican: How has your involvement with the Journal of Endodontics impacted your own professional development and research?
Dr. Levin: Serving on the editorial Board of JOE has given me exposure to a wide array of research, sometimes in areas distant to my own pursuits. I have benefited from this immensely in that it has broadened my perspective on the different disciplines of science, particularly as it pertains to Endodontics.
Lisican: What do you enjoy most about being a part of the Editorial Board?
Dr. Levin: I enjoy the camaraderie and the intellectual interchange. I am fortunate to work with some of the brightest minds in endodontics on the Editorial Board.
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary
Lisican: What does the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Endodontics mean to you?
Dr. Levin: The 50th anniversary marks an era of growth and service of the journal for our specialty and the profession of dentistry as a whole.
Looking Back and Ahead
Lisican: Reflecting on your time with the journal, what are you most proud of?
Dr. Levin: I am proud of the reputation of the Journal of Endodontics. It is the culmination of the work of many authors, editors and other contributors and serves as a reflection of the integrity and dedication of our specialty.
Lisican: What are your hopes for the future of the Journal of Endodontics and its impact on the field?
Dr. Levin: My hope for the JOE is that it continues to be a leading journal in dentistry and continues to serve our specialty as it has for the past 50 years!