The AVDC has agreed to team with the
AVMA in producing the Diagnostic Imaging in Veterinary Dental Practice
(DIVDP) feature in the Journal
of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The
current plan is to publish a DIVDP item in every other issue of
JAVMA (i.e.
monthly).
The DIVDP feature will be included in the Veterinary Medicine Today
section at the front of JAVMA issues. Readership surveys show that these
types of articles are very popular with AVMA members and JAVMA readers,
and dentistry deserves to be included with the other specialty college-sponsored
features in this section.
The JAVMA has accepted the AVDC Board of Directors nomination of Dr.
Frank Verstraete (University of California-Davis) as the first Coordinator
of the DIVDP feature.
This feature would be a great option
for an excellent radiograph or two from an interesting case treated
by
an AVDC-registered applicant,
perhaps with the applicant’s mentor as second author. For
images that are included in case reports that are under consideration
for AVDC
Credentials Pre-Approval, AVDC recommends waiting until the Pre-Approval
review is completed before submitting the images and supporting
text for publication in this feature. Each DIVDP item is limited
to two published
pages, in a specific format (details below). Please keep in mind
that, for case reports that would not readily lend themselves
to the DIVDP
format, AVDC also encourages publication of full case reports
in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, which is the official
publication of
the College.
The two keys to the success of the DIVDP feature are interesting material
and good-quality radiographs or other images. The images will be considered
for technical quality by the JAVMA editors and Dr. Verstraete before
they are sent to reviewers.
Here are some possibilities to consider:
• A case that included a radiograph that you patted yourself on the back
for, because it was perfect.
• Radiographs showing something crucial that was missing on one view but
clearly seen on another view.
• A diagnostic challenge or a complication that was recognized on a radiograph.
Instructions for Authors -
Diagnostic Imaging in Veterinary Dental Practice – JAVMA
The purpose of the Diagnostic Imaging
in Veterinary Dental Practice feature is to provide readers with
clinically relevant information
relating to
the practice of veterinary dentistry, focusing on the evaluation
and interpretation of diagnostic images. Most often, images
should be limited
to radiographs. However, color photographs and computed
tomographic, magnetic resonance, and ultrasonographic images can
be included
if they were essential to the diagnosis.
The text for manuscripts submitted for this feature should be organized
under the following headings:
History and Physical Examination Findings,
Diagnostic Imaging Findings and Interpretation,
Treatment and Outcome, and
Comments.
The History and Physical Examination
Findings section of the manuscript should provide patient signalment,
a short description
of the patient’s
history, relevant physical examination and laboratory
findings, and results of a complete oral examination. The
Diagnostic Imaging Findings and Interpretation
section should describe all pertinent abnormalities
in the images provided and list the radiologic diagnosis
or differential diagnoses considered
on the basis of the diagnostic imaging findings.
The Treatment and Outcome section should briefly describe
the treatment
provided, clinical course,
and condition at last follow-up examination. The
Comments section should discuss pertinent aspects of the
clinical condition
and explain what
role diagnostic imaging had in determining the diagnosis,
prognosis, and treatment.
The feature is intended to be a learning exercise for
readers. Therefore, two copies of diagnostic images
should be provided. One should not contain
any identifying marks; the other should contain arrows
or other labels and symbols identifying the important
abnormalities. Because the feature
is limited to 2 pages in the journal, the text should
be no longer than approximately 3 double-spaced typewritten
pages (approx. 750 words).
Pertinent references should be provided, but should
rarely exceed 6 or 7 in number.
Authors should follow all general guidelines for manuscript preparation
and submission, including guidelines for preparation of electronic copies
of figures, given in the Instructions for Authors for the Journal of
the American Veterinary Medical Association. Copies of the JAVMA Instructions
for Authors are available from the AVMA Web site (www.avma.org). For
additional information or to submit an item for review, contact Dr. Kurt
Matushek by telephone (847-925-8070, ext 6768) or e-mail (kmatushek@avma.org).
The Diagnostic Imaging in Veterinary Dental Practice feature is sponsored
by the American Veterinary Dental College.