As a cornerstone of dental research, it is imperative for scientific dental journals to prioritize the publication of up-to-date and novel scientific works. Our esteemed scientific dental journal’s latest issue (Volume 65, Issue 1, 2024) stands as proof of this relentless pursuit of up-to-date knowledge. Within it lie 7 studies that illuminate new paths for dental treatment and prevention, aiming to enhance the quality of dental care.

The review study “In-vitro antibacterial activity of própolis extract against periodontopathogenic bacteria: a systematic review”¹ is of paramount importance. It systematically evaluates propolis’ efficacy in fighting periodontopathogenic bactéria while debating evidence-based treatment strategies. The findings may help periodontal therapy, offering natural alternatives, or adjuncts, to conventional antibacterial agents.

The scientific work “Association of periodontitis with cerebral small vessel disease in hypertensive patients - A pilot study”² holds significant importance in both dental and general medicine. It investigates the potential association between periodontitis and cerebral small vessel disease in hypertensive individuals. Understanding this link may revolutionize preventive strategies for both cerebrovascular and periodontal diseases. This comprehensive knowledge may ultimately improve patient care and reduce cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality levels.

The articles “Prevalence of dentigerous cysts in a Portuguese university clinic population with bone pathology”³ and “Fatores associados à qualidade de vida em jovens portugueses de 18 anos” (Factors associated with quality of life in 18-year-old Portuguese individuals)⁴ are highly relevant for the Portuguese community. One³ contributes to the characterization of the dentigerous cyst distribution in a population treated at a university clinic and studies the agreement between the clinical and histological diagnoses of this type of bone pathology.

The other⁴ provides utterly important insights for targeting interventions and policy-making decisions to improve youth well-being by assessing and exploring factors associated with the quality of life in local young individuals. Understanding these factors may help decision-makers address challenges more effectively to achieve healthier lives for the younger Portuguese population.

Case reports are publications of utmost value for any scientific dental journal. These works usually offer important insights into uncommon conditions or treatment approaches and less expected results. By sharing these clinical experiences, clinicians can learn from each other, enriching their clinical and technical knowledge while aiming to improve patient care in real-world clinical practice. This issue provides a good series of clinical works in the fields of Endodontics, Oral Pathology, and Oral Surgery.

The paper “Non-surgical management of paresthesia induced by calcium hydroxide extrusion - a case report with a 4-year follow-up”⁵ proposes a non-surgical approach using pregabalin and steroids to treat an endodontic complication.

The clinical work “Laser photobiomodulation for chemical stomatitis in intensive care patient: Case report”⁶ holds considerable importance. It shows a clinical approach using laser therapy to manage chemical stomatitis in intensive care patients, proving ideal for a potentially good outcome for a challenging medical condition. This report offers insights into na innovative treatment modality, paving the way for future clinical works to explore the efficacy of laser photobiomodulation technology in controlling oral complications in critically diseased individuals.

The clinical case report “Técnica de janela óssea na enucleação de cisto mandibular com piezoelétrico: Relato de caso” (Bone window technique in the enucleation of mandibular cyst using a piezoelectric device: Case report)⁷ also holds considerable importance. It debates an approach using piezoelectric technology for enucleating mandibular cysts that potentially enhances surgical results and recovery. This work shares knowledge valuable for clinicians that may ultimately improve their surgical techniques in Oral Surgery.

It is beneficial for the healthy development of Dentistry that both researchers and clinicians publish their scientific works in dental journals. Only thus can both researchers and clinicians enhance the sharing of knowledge with the aim of improving the quality of service provided to patients, stimulate the ongoing debate of ideas on platforms that prioritize such debate, and ultimately establish themselves as leaders in the field of interest. Therefore, the Revista Portuguesa de Estomatologia, Medicina Dentária e Cirurgia Maxilofacial, which has made a significant effort to be indexed in importante databases and now has an impact factor (Journal Impact Factor by Clarivate / Web of Science) since 2022, challenges all researchers and clinicians to do so, and will continue today and in the future open to receiving scientific papers that are worthy of these same debates.