The International Journal of Oral Science (IJOS) is a premier clinical and academic journal published by the Fellows of the ICD Section XIII. As an open-access Nature journal, it generates more than 2 million annual article downloads, reaching a vast audience across more than 180 countries. It has established itself as a cornerstone of global dental research by disseminating dental knowledge to researchers, practitioners and students worldwide. By covering interdisciplinary areas such as oral microbiology, dental stem cells, craniofacial surgery and regenerative medicine, the journal represents the vanguard of dental medicine. These disciplines move the profession beyond traditional treatment toward biological repair and the regeneration of oral tissues, with all cutting-edge findings made freely available under a Creative Commons license. It is also the first English-language dental periodical on the Chinese mainland to hold both an ISSN and a CN certificate.
A Foundation of Academic Excellence
The launch of IJOS in March 2009 marked the 100th anniversary of the West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University (WCSS). Based in Chengdu, China, WCSS stands as the country’s first dental hospital and dental school. The journal honors the legacy of its predecessor, The Dental Journal of West China Union University, which produced high-quality academic papers in both Chinese and English for eight years following its 1946 founding by Dr. Ashley Lindsay, who also founded WCSS. To uphold this history of academic leadership and meet the needs of a modern era where Chinese dentists and researchers play an increasingly active role in international exchanges, IJOS provides a global forum for professionals to share their achievements with peers worldwide.
The journal is led by ICD Section XIII leaders based in the State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases at Sichuan University; they are dedicated to advancing oral health standards through high-level clinical research. Section XIII President Dr. Xuedong Zhou serves as the Editor in Chief. Dr. Zhou is supported by a dedicated editorial team of executive editors, including Section XIII Treasurer Dr. Ling Ye, Section XIII Registrar Dr. Qianming Chen and Section XIII Editor Dr. Jiefei Shen.
Honorary Editor in Chief Dr. Cun-yu Wang, a professor at Peking University and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, also provides critical guidance to the publication. These leaders manage an editorial board of 150 distinguished members from world-renowned institutions such as the University of Helsinki, the University of Sydney, UCLA and Temple University. This global academic alliance serves as the journal’s bedrock, cementing a standard of professional integrity and scientific excellence recognized worldwide.
Historic Growth and Scientific Recognition
The global impact of IJOS has risen dramatically, with its Impact Factor surging from 2.750 in 2018 to 12.2 in 2024, placing the publication in the top 1% of dental journals globally. In 2012, IJOS relaunched on Nature.com as a fully open-access title in partnership with Nature Publishing Group (NPG). This brought the journal into a world-class academic portfolio alongside titles like Nature. The transition to immediate open access significantly expanded global reach and citation potential.
Furthermore, the journal maintains rigorous but rapid peer review, averaging just seven days for a first editorial decision and 144 days from submission to final publication. The editorial team sustains visibility through systematic international marketing and active participation in major conferences. Additionally, the journal ranks first among 135 General Dentistry journals by CiteScore, currently at 18.1. These performance markers underscore the editorial team’s commitment to excellence and the significant impact of the research provided to the global community.
The Critical Role of ICD Fellows
The journal sustains its momentum through the voluntary efforts of Section XIII Fellows who serve in key editorial and review capacities. Furthermore, the publication regularly features research papers authored by Fellows from various Sections, thereby broadening awareness of clinical advances among scholars worldwide.
A notable example is the 2024 paper, “Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids/Hyaluronic Acid-Methacrylic Anhydride Hybrid Hydrogel with Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Properties for Infected Wound Healing,” authored by ICD Section XIII Fellow and Professor Dr. Yunfeng Lin. This study represents a breakthrough in nanomaterial-based wound therapeutics, utilizing Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids (tFNAs) as a stable, three-dimensional delivery system for antimicrobial peptides. The developed hydrogel is injectable and photocurable within 30 seconds, enabling precise application to irregular wounds in clinical settings. Preclinical studies demonstrated a 97.83% wound-closure rate within 14 days, offering significant potential for treating diabetic foot ulcers and antibiotic-resistant infections.
Upon publication, this paper garnered significant international attention and citations, reflecting its immediate impact on the biomedical research community. Dr. Lin has since translated this technology from the laboratory to commercial application by founding Yun Hai Biotech, a company dedicated to developing nucleic acid nanomaterials for regenerative medicine and drug delivery. This work exemplifies the critical role ICD Fellows play in advancing clinical research and highlights how IJOS serves as a vital platform for showcasing work that bridges the gap between academic innovation and real-world healthcare solutions.
A Vision for the Global Future
Looking ahead, IJOS remains a leading voice in advancing global dental research and scientific discovery. By elevating international standards for clinical research and fostering long-term collaboration, the journal serves as a beacon for the next generation of oral health leaders.
Dr. Xuedong Zhou shared her vision for the next five years:
“Over the next five years, IJOS will continue to serve as a bridge between Eastern and Western dental science, elevating international standards for clinical research while fostering the next generation of oral health leaders. Our vision is to transform global oral health policy and practice through open-access dissemination of breakthrough discoveries—from bench to bedside—ensuring that cutting-edge biological repair and regenerative therapies reach practitioners and patients worldwide without barriers.”
To explore the latest research and clinical breakthroughs, visit the International Journal of Oral Science at Nature.com.
