In 2022, many authors make outstanding contributions to our journal. Their articles published with us have received very well feedback in the field and stimulate a lot of discussions and new insights among the peers.
Hereby, we would like to highlight some of our outstanding authors who have been making immense efforts in their research fields, with a brief interview of their unique perspectives and insightful views as authors.
Outstanding Authors (2022)
Andrew Young, University of the Pacific, USA
Mythili Kalladka, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, Rochester, NY, USA
Gary M. Heir, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, USA
Outstanding Author
Andrew Young
Dr. Andrew Young is tenure-track assistant professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, San Francisco, United States. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. He earned his DDS from the University of California, San Francisco, and his MSD in Orofacial Pain from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He also completed a general practice residency with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He heads his university’s orofacial pain patient care, curriculum, and research, as well as their evidence-based decision-making and critical thinking curriculum. His research focuses on temporomandibular disorders, headaches, and neuropathic and idiopathic orofacial pain.
In Dr. Young’s opinion, science should be central to decision-making, yet the public, and even most clinicians, will not see science unless it is shown to them in terms they understand. The utility of science therefore hinges upon the clarity of the writing. If the writing is succinct and clear, the science has a chance of directing decision-making; if the writing is verbose or cryptic, the science may never see the light of day.
As an author, Dr. Young believes that when the target audience is the non-researching clinicians, a paper must be succinct, clear, and follow a logical course. Succinctness is desired because the longer the paper, the less likely a clinician will read it, and the more likely the reader will lose track of the main points and the connections between those points. Clarity is best achieved when the author uses terminology understood by the reader, and when all necessary background information is explained. And following a logical course in the writing can contribute to the reader’s understanding as much as the clarity of individual explanations.
Academic writing often involves evidence synthesis. Hereby, Dr. Young shares some tips on selecting the appropriate evidence for synthesis and analysis. To Dr. Young, the principles of a systematic review are the best way to select evidence, because they maximize the likelihood of finding all evidence, regardless of their conclusions, on a given topic, while minimizing the likelihood of bias. Most reading this overview already know those principles. But when strong evidence does not exist, or is sparse, the next best evidence should be used, so long as the clinical implications of their specific weaknesses are clearly explained to the reader. This is more beneficial to the reader than having inclusion criteria that is so stringent that no conclusions can be drawn.
Lastly, speaking of allocating time to write papers, Dr. Young thinks every department in every institution varies in the quality and quantity of resources (knowledgeable colleagues, collaboration opportunities, grants, equipment, patients, and time), which have a strong impact the quality and quantity of that professor’s publications. Most of the time that he spends on writing papers comes from his lunch hours, evening hours, weekends, and vacation times. Taken together, they add up to a significant amount of time.
(By Nicole J. Li, Brad Li)
Bernadette Alvear Fa
In 2006, Dr. Bernadette Alvear Fa graduated from University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, California. Dr. Alvear Fa is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry and is Director of Local Anesthesia Curriculum and Self-Care Content Coordinator. She worked as an Associate General Dentist in the East Bay (with her father), Long Beach Children's Dental Health Clinic, Faculty Practice at the University of Illinois, Chicago School of Dental Medicine, and the Faculty Dental Service Group at Dugoni Pacific. Her research interests and publications are associated with local anesthesia in dentistry and self-care/wellness. Dr. Alvear Fa enjoys golf, hiking, and time at the lake with her family.
“Data collected from academia play a great role in the distribution of information,” says Dr. Alvear Fa. To ensure the information is distributed correctly, there are some key skill sets an author should possess, which include organization, patience, and resilience to factors that may not directly affect a future publication. One should be reminded to have humility when mentoring or being mentored.
Academic writing is never easy. Dr. Alvear Fa shares with us her personal experience, “Writing is possible! I never considered myself an author and feared the idea of publishing. I partnered with an influential mentor, Dr. Douglas Young, who wanted to help in my growth as an academic. Work and life balance was a reality because of the key takeaways that I learned from Dr. Young.”
From an author’s perspective, Dr. Alvear Fa explains that reporting guidelines are extremely helpful because they provide an expectation to preserve the journal's quality. They also help authors understand how they can meticulously organize their collected data for dissemination. Guidelines such as PRISMA are helpful, so that in cases of meta-analysis, audience can follow their understanding of how authors get to a conclusion with their findings.
(By Wei-En Fan, Brad Li)
Mythili Kalladka
Dr. Mythili Kalladka is an Adjunct Assistant Professor, Orofacial Pain and Temporomandibular Disorders, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, Rochester, NY, USA. She is board certified and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain. She is trained in basic science and clinical research, and the areas of research includes the role of cytokines in neuropathic pain and quantitative sensory testing in orofacial pain. Neuropathic pain may be secondary to neuritis and different forms of nerve injury. Her research has explored the role of various cytokines in different scenarios of neuropathic pain. You may get to know more about Dr. Kalladka through her homepage, LinkedIn profile and ResearchGate profile.
Academic writing plays an integral part in science and helps in addressing the potential gaps in scientific knowledge. To Dr. Kalladka, it enables the evolution and execution of new ideas to address these gaps through stringent research methodology and scientific evaluation of literature. The scientific evidence thus garnered is presented in a concise, clear and unbiased manner to facilitate growth of the scientific community and community in general.
Dr. Kalladka further explains that a scientific manuscript is the outcome of a strong research encompassing rigid scientific methodology, critical monitoring of study progress and unbiased analysis of the results. It enables the researcher to present the core ideas and evidence garnered in a clear, concise, cohesive and logical manner to the scientific community. Commitment to the research and excellent verbal and written communication skills are critical aspects of academic writing and preparation of a manuscript. It is essential to begin with a clear mind and have a focused scientific evaluation of existing literature and compare, contrast, highlight the uniqueness and connect it to the greater understanding of scientific knowledge. The authors need to stringently adhere to scientific guidelines for preparation of a scientific manuscript.
“Academic writing is one of the key stepping stones for academic success. It enhances critical thinking, emergence of novel ideas, analysis and transmission of key findings. The dedication, knowledge, time and efforts involved in the process facilitate the growth of a researcher and the team as a whole and may serve as a motivation for them to effectively translate the evidence-based findings to serve the community,” says Dr. Kalladka.
(By Nicole J. Li, Brad Li, Eunice X. Xu)
Gary M. Heir
Dr. Gary M. Heir is a Past-President and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He was recently named the Carmel Chair in Algesiology at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, USA, the first professorship in the nation in algesiology dedicated to orofacial pain. He is a Professor, Program and Clinical Director of the Center for Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain of Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine and Director of the Post Graduate Advanced Education and Masters Programs. He serves on the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in several capacities, and is a member of the Review Committee of Advanced Dental Education of the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL). He is the Section Editor of the Orofacial Pain Neuroscience Section of The Journal of The American Dental Association. He is a member of many professional organizations devoted to the study and diagnosis of pain disorders, has published numerous papers, chapters and abstracts on topics related with the field of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain. Dr. Heir was appointed to the New Jersey Governors Council for Lyme Disease and served for 12 years in that position, and one term as its vice chair. He is the primary author of the nationally accepted Post Graduate Core Curriculum in Orofacial Pain.
As an editor, Dr. Heir sees a major problem in general scientific manuscripts – poor organization. In some cases, the title, abstract and conclusions do not align. Also, when submitting, some journals have more stringent requirements than others. Authors need to be careful to follow an organized outline and use succinct language. On the other hand, to ensure one’s writing is up-to-date, he believes authors should not submit new concepts with dated references. They must be contemporary and familiar with current science in order to make advances.
“Academic writing is nothing interesting except for diligence and hard work,” says Dr. Heir.
(By Brad Li, Eunice X. Xu)