From Cavities to Cutting-Edge Research: 10 Journals Every Dental Student Should Explore

Staying informed on the latest dental research is vital for developing clinical acuity and honing critical thinking. For dental students, journals are more than reading material—they offer windows into evolving techniques, new materials, treatment protocols, public health trends, and the educational process itself. Keeping up with current research sharpens clinical skills and supports evidence-based learning. Here are 10 high-quality journals valuable for dental students:

A leading peer-reviewed journal covering all dental science disciplines—from basic research to clinical findings. Excellent for developing critical appraisal skills. Published by IADR/AADOCR, this peer-reviewed scientific journal is dedicated to the dissemination of new knowledge and information encompassing all sciences relevant to dentistry and to the oral cavity and associated structures in health and disease.

https://www.iadr.org/publications/journal-dental-research

Publishes top-tier clinical and scientific advances in periodontology and implant biology. Journal of Clinical Periodontology was founded by the British, Dutch, French, German, Scandinavian, and Swiss Societies of Periodontology.

The aim of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology is to provide the platform for exchange of scientific and clinical progress in the field of Periodontology and allied disciplines, and to do so at the highest possible level.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1600051x

This journal focuses on the properties, development, and clinical application of restorative materials. It publishes cutting-edge research on biomaterials, polymers, ceramics, and emerging dental technologies. Widely respected for its high methodological standards, it helps dental students gain insight into the science behind the materials used in daily practice.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/dental-materials

A broad restorative dentistry journal with topics from cariology to prosthodontics and biomaterials.

The Journal of Dentistry is the leading international dental journal within the field of Restorative Dentistry. Placing an emphasis on publishing novel and high-quality research papers, the Journal aims to influence the practice of dentistry at clinician, research, industry and policy-maker level on an international basis.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-dentistry

The go-to source for pulpal biology, endodontic treatments, and instrumentation research. The International Endodontic Journal is a leading international forum for publications in the field of endodontology. They publish research on the health, injuries to, and diseases of the pulp and periradicular region, and their relationship with systemic well-being and health.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652591

Offers authoritative, in-depth reviews in periodontal science—perfect for lifestyle planning and test preparation. Periodontology 2000 is a series of richly illustrated monographs focused on periodontal research, providing a valuable supplement to existing periodontal journals for periodontists and general dentistry practitioners with an interest in periodontics.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/16000757?msockid=1e8d7f29de63685112f16a33df65695d

An interdisciplinary forum exploring molecular and translational dentistry research. The International Journal of Oral Science seeks to publish all aspects of oral science and interdisciplinary fields, including basic, applied and clinical research.

https://www.nature.com/ijos/

Covers implant-related clinical studies and long-term outcomes—essential for prostho and perio students. Clinical Oral Implants Research conveys scientific progress in the field of implant dentistry and its related areas to clinicians, teachers and researchers concerned with the application of this information for the benefit of patients in need of oral implants.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/16000501?msockid=1e8d7f29de63685112f16a33df65695d

Investigates dental public health and epidemiology—valuable for population-level insight and research projects. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology aims to continually grow the community dentistry knowledge base and serve as a forum for scientifically based information in the field. 

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/16000528?msockid=1e8d7f29de63685112f16a33df65695d

An open-access, peer-reviewed resource with a broad scope—excellent for early research reading. The Open Dentistry Journal is an open-access journal that publishes research articles, reviews, letters, case reports and guest-edited single-topic issues in all areas of dentistry and the oral cavity.

https://opendentistryjournal.com/index.php

_MSM