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Taylor & Francis

Prepare your manuscript for Journal of the California Dental Association.

Review the checklist, choose your article type, and turn your draft into a cleaner submission package.

Checked 2026-08-02
Check readiness freePrepare this manuscript

Article types

Review
Letter to the Editor
Commentary
Editorial
Perspective
Systematic Review
Protocol
Case Report
Review Article
Lectio
Clinical Trial

Readiness requirements

Review the key details below, or download the complete checklist with every stored source-backed requirement.

Abstract length

  • PLS should: Be distinct from the abstract and written in language that is easy to understand and free of complex words and jargon.
  • Trial registration numbers should be included in the abstract, with full details in the methods section.

Keywords

  • Include or confirm the keywords required by the journal. Articlo checks this item and flags anything that still needs author input.

Reference style

  • Articlo formats your supplied references to the journal's stored style and checks that citations match the reference list; source validity is not verified.
  • numbers – Spell out zero through nine; use numerals for numbers 10 and higher; use numerals for all ages.
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  • If you choose to provide a pre-registered DOI, you should be prepared to share the reviewer URL associated with the data deposit upon reviewers’ request.
  • pay off, not payoff prefixes – Do not use hyphens with most prefixes including anti, co, out, over, mid (except when followed by a figure), mini, mega, micro, multi, non, post, pre, re, semi. > preventive, not preventative Editor’s Tips.
  • Use AMA citation style.
  • A declaration must be included within the submission stating: Confirmation the authors take full responsibility for the integrity of the whole content, including accuracy of references.
  • four-digit numbers – add comma 1,234 health care, not healthcare journal titles – Do not italicize except as needed in references.
  • 12 pt, Times New Roman Double line spacing Margins at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) References – AMA Citation | Quick Guide & Examples Figures, tables and images can be saved and submitted in a separate Word document or added to the end of your manuscript.
  • credentials - Only academic credentials in author bylines; no society, fellowship or other credentials please.
  • aesthetic, not esthetic bite mark, not bitemark C.E. (continuing education) Capitalize only proper nouns and formal names – Do not capitalize stand-alone common nouns, dental or medical specialties, job titles (unless preceding the person’s name), etc.
  • When in doubt, don’t capitalize!

Figure and table rules

  • Keep every figure and table numbered, captioned, and cited in the manuscript. Keep figures embedded; Articlo also extracts numbered source files for the package.
  • Group figures at the end of the manuscript.
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  • Group tables at the end of the manuscript.
  • Authors may submit no more than a combined total of six (6) figures, tables and graphs for each paper.
  • Include credit captions for images and figures used with permission.

Funding statement

  • You should declare only the acquired funds and grants that are directly relevant to the work reported in your article; for example, This work was supported by the [Funding Agency #1] under Grant [number xxxx]; [Funding Agency #2] under Grant [number xxxx]; and [Funding Agency #3] under Grant [number xxxx].

Competing interests

  • Add or confirm the author-written Competing interests statement; Articlo flags it if author input is still needed.
  • All NIH/Wellcome-funded papers must include the grant number(s) in the Conflicts of Interest statement.
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  • Authors must include a disclosure statement using the subheading “Conflicts of Interest.” If there are no interests to declare, please state “The authors have no competing interests to declare” or use similar wording.

Data availability statement

  • Include or confirm the data availability statement required by the journal. Articlo checks this item and flags anything that still needs author input.

Ethics statement

  • Add or confirm the author-written Ethics statement; Articlo flags it if author input is still needed.
  • Additionally, you must include a statement in your manuscript confirming receipt of informed consent.
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  • Authors should review these requirements and policies as well as the Journal’s policy on participant/patient privacy and informed consent.
  • In settings where ethics approval for noninterventional studies (e.g., surveys) is not required, authors must include a statement explaining this.
  • If a patient or research participant can be potentially identified in your paper, you must obtain written informed consent from those individuals (or from their parent/guardian, if the participant is not an adult or is unable to give informed consent, or their next of kin if the participant is deceased) to publish their personal information.
  • All authors are required to follow ICMJE requirements and Taylor & Francis Editorial Policies on privacy and obtaining informed consent from patients and study participants.
  • Authors must include a statement to confirm that any patient, service user or participant (or that person’s parent or legal guardian) in any type of qualitative or quantitative research has given informed consent to participate in the research.
  • Case Report: For submissions where patients or participants can be potentially identified (e.g., a clinical case report detailing their medical history, identifiable images or media content), authors must include a statement to confirm the individuals gave written informed consent to publish the details (or their parent/guardian if the participant is not an adult or is unable to give informed consent, or next of kin if the participant is deceased).
  • All original research papers involving humans, animals, plants, biological material, protected or nonpublic datasets, collections or sites, must include a written statement confirming ethical approval has been obtained from the appropriate local ethics committee or institutional review board.

Cover letter

  • You must obtain the necessary permission to reuse third-party material in your article.
  • To include any material in your paper for which you do not hold copyright, and which is not covered by this informal agreement, please obtain written permission from the copyright owner prior to submission.
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  • Using short extracts of text (with cited sources) and some other types of material is usually permitted on a limited basis for the purposes of criticism and review without securing formal permission.

Author contributions

  • Submitting authors should be prepared to submit CRediT roles for themselves and their co-authors (where applicable) as part of the submission process.

Title page and author information

  • Add the full name and affiliation, ORCID numbers and social media handles (Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn) for each author.

Article structure and word limits

  • Maximum 10 words or 80 characters with spaces.
  • Submit no more than six (6) combined.
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  • These instructions will ensure we have everything required so your paper can move through peer review, production and publication smoothly.
  • Research studies must be well-designed and follow sound methodology.
  • Review: Reviews should focus on trends, issues and new programs or innovations and should NOT consist of a general review of topics more suitable for a textbook.
  • The methodology is more flexible and less structured, can include a wide range of sources and may not follow a specific protocol.
  • Use bold font and capitalize the first letter of each word with four letters or more.
  • Provide answers to the questions: Why was the study done?
  • Use the active voice rather than the passive voice (for example, “Dr).
  • All research studies on humans (individuals, samples or data) must be performed in accordance with the principles stated in the Declaration of Helsinki.
  • Clinical Trial: Clinical trials should be registered prospectively – i.e. before participant recruitment.
  • Authors of retrospectively registered trials must be prepared to provide further information to the journal editorial office if requested.
  • Clinical Trial: The clinical trial registry should be publicly accessible (at no charge), open to all prospective registrants, and managed by a not-for-profit organization.
  • Cite all relevant safety precautions and any accepted standard or code of practice.
  • A declaration must be included within the submission stating: Originality and accuracy of content has been confirmed by the authors.
  • Authors must provide full methodological details and adhere to relevant reporting guidelines where applicable.
  • Authors must retain the original and revised versions which must be shared upon request.
  • The PLSP guidelines for authors must be followed at all times.
  • The PLS must not be misleading in any way.
  • When obtaining consent to publish, authors should share the article with the individual (or whoever gave consent on their behalf) so the individual is fully aware of the article’s content before it is published.
  • All research reported in your paper must be conducted in an ethical and responsible manner and in full compliance with all relevant codes of experimentation and legislation.
  • Clinical Trial: In order to be published in a Taylor & Francis journal, all clinical trials must have been registered in a public repository, ideally at the beginning of the research process (prior to participant recruitment).
  • When a product has not yet been approved by an appropriate regulatory body for the use described in your paper, you must specify that the product is still investigational and has not yet been approved.
  • Keep statements factual and avoid providing opinions or speculation on the study’s findings and significance.
  • Confirm that you complied with all mandatory laboratory health and safety procedures while conducting any experimental work reported in your paper.
  • While authors may note research requiring further investigation with a larger sample size, weak associations in small samples cannot support predictions beyond that sample.
  • Image descriptions are typically used by systems such as pronouncing screen readers to make images accessible to people that cannot read or see the object due to a visual disability.

Reporting guidelines

  • Include or confirm the reporting guidelines required by the journal. Articlo checks this item and flags anything that still needs author input.

Preprints and prior publication

  • If you have shared an earlier version of your Author’s Original Manuscript on a preprint server, please be aware that anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Artificial intelligence disclosure

  • Add or confirm the author-written Artificial intelligence statement; Articlo flags it if author input is still needed.
  • Please include a statement disclosing whether and how generative AI has been used in the research and manuscript preparation process.
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  • Use of AI tools as part of ethical research studies is permitted.
  • A declaration must be included within the submission stating: The name and version number of the AI tool used.
  • Systematic Review: Use of AI tools as part of ethically conducted literature reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analysis and bibliometrics studies is permitted.
  • Use of AI tool assisted plain language summaries (PLS) of authors own work is permitted.
  • Please read our guidance on using AI tools in your research and manuscript preparation to understand scenarios where their use may be permissible, and the required information that must be disclosed.
  • A declaration must be included within the submission stating: Confirmation the authors have checked terms of use for the specific AI tool used, and therefore confirm suitability for publication.

Language and text style

  • Titles should be written in plain language, be concise and engaging, and accurately represent the research.
  • If a scientific term must be used, please provide a brief plain language definition of the term.
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  • Use short, clear sentences and phrase sentences in neutral language, remaining as objective as possible.
  • Use person-centered language rather than focusing on the condition/illness or disability.
  • If you need to use a technical term or abbreviation, explain it on first mention.
  • All submissions must use American English.
  • Case Report: IMPORTANT: All research, review, discussion, case study and case report submissions must include a Plain Language Summary and Knowledge Transfer Statement (see guidelines below).
  • Case Report: Research, discussion and case study/case report articles must include a statement explaining in plain language how clinicians can apply the manuscript’s findings to their practice and/or how the findings can be applied across the fields of oral health, medicine, public health and advocacy.
  • Proofread your manuscript at least twice, check for inconsistencies and formatting errors, and run grammar and spell-check.

Manuscript structure

  • Results, conclusion and discussion should directly relate to and answer that specific question.
  • Both article types share detailed clinical experiences that can generate new hypotheses in dental research and must contain novel, unpublished results.
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  • Paper must be structured in the order presented below and include each section subhead.
  • Your submission must include each section listed below with subheads matching this provided wording.
  • The structure of a discussion article should include a summary of key findings, contextualization placing the findings within the broader context of existing literature, unexpected results and limitations of the study.
  • Authors must retain full records of the methods undertaken, including full descriptions and records of the prompts used, which must be shared with the journal upon request.
  • Clinical Trial: However, for clinical trials that have not been registered prospectively, Taylor & Francis journals requires retrospective registration to ensure the transparent and complete dissemination of all clinical trial results which ultimately impact human health.

Article type and manuscript length

  • Structure your submissions according to Journal guidelines and include the elements (sections) required for each article type.
  • All submissions must include an abstract written in plain language and structured as follows according to the article type.

Study reporting guidelines

  • For animal studies, authors must obtain approval from the local or institutional animal use and care committee.
  • Authors must provide full methodological details and adhere to relevant reporting guidelines where applicable (e.g. CONSORT-AI, STARD-AI, GAMER, TRIPOD-AI, etc).
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What your package checks

Declarations: Competing interests, Ethics, Artificial intelligence
Format: Times New Roman, 1" margins

Source transparency

This preparation guide uses published journal-specific author requirements. Journal instructions can change, so authors should complete a final review before submission.

Open official guideline source