The dental specialties related articles published in Medical Journal Armed Forces India from 2000 to 2014 over a 15-year period

Abstract

There is a paucity of information about the dental specialties related articles published in the Medical Journal Armed Forces India (MJAFI). This study aimed to audit the dental specialities related articles published in MJAFI from 2000 to 2014 over a 15-year period. Bibliometric analysis of sixty issues of MJAFI from 2000 to 2014 were performed using web-based search. The articles published were analyzed for type of article and topic of individual dental specialities. The articles published were also evaluated to identify whether the study was an Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project or funded research project or not. Out of the total 118 published articles related to dental specialities, original articles (55) and case reports (49) contribute the major share. The highest number of dental specialities related articles was published in 2009 with 16, followed by 2010 with 13 and 2011 with 11 and the least published year was 2013 with 3 articles. Regarding the relationship with dental specialities, the maximum number of published articles were related to oral medicine and radiology (56) followed by oral and maxillofacial surgery (49), orthodontics (23) and prosthodontics (17). Among the articles published in MJAFI, maxillofacial injuries (11) followed by orthodontic treatment (8) and craniofacial deformities (8) form the major attraction of the contributors. Among the 118 dental speciality articles, there were only 4 Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project articles and 19 funded research project articles. An equal distribution of articles related to clinical dentistry and nonclinical dentistry is maintained for the MJAFI from 2000 to 2014 over a 15-year period.

Introduction

Bibliometrics was first defined by Pritchard (1996) as “the application of mathematical and statistical methods to books and other media”.¹ Bibliometrics can be used as a tool to evaluate the direction of research activities of the scholars in publications.² It also helps to assess the publication trends of journals regarding quantum volume of research output, patterns of research collaboration by authorship, citations/regional and subjects distributions.³

Publication trends in individual dental journals were evaluated bibliometrically to evaluate the research activities of the scholars.^{4, 5} There is a paucity of information about the dental specialities related articles published in the Medical Journal Armed Forces India (MJAFI). This study aimed to audit the dental sciences related articles published in the MJAFI from 2000 to 2014 over a 15-year period.

Materials and methods

A total of sixty issues of MJAFI from 2000 to 2014 were analyzed. This was available on the following journal websites (last accessed March 11, 2015).

• a.(http://medind.nic.in/maa/maaai.shtml) and
• b.(http://www.mjafi.net/issues)

The articles published were analyzed for type of article (editorial, guest column, original article, case report, review article, update article, drug update, drug review, emergency medicine, methods in medicine, quiz and letter to Editor) and topic of individual dental specialties. The section on journal scan, multiple choice questions, book review and articles in press (articles that are not yet assigned to an issue) in MJAFI were excluded from the study. The contents of the published article were grouped into ten individual dental specialities articles. The dental specialities considered were oral pathology and microbiology, oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pedodontics, periodontics, conservative dentistry and endodontics, prosthodontics, orthodontics, community dentistry and implantology. Implantology related articles are clubbed together under a single head since it is a multi-disciplinary approach and no one speciality can lay claim to this field of research.

The following criterion was used for the study. The topic or content of the article should be the only criterion for allotment of subject heading as the author may be from any speciality (dental or medical) and may be publishing on a very different topic. The articles which are interdisciplinary or multi-speciality in approach is counted under all the dental specialities it belonged.

The articles published were evaluated to identify whether the study was an Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project or funded research project or not.

Results

The dental specialties related articles published in MJAFI from 2000 to 2014 are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1.

The dental specialties related articles published in MJAFI from 2000 to 2014 over a 15–year period.

Sl. No	The dental specialties related articles published in Medical Journal Armed Forces India from 2000 to 2014	Dental specialties–topic–type of article – source of funding
1	MJAFI Vol 56:1 January 2000
1	Ravi Kumar A, Gill HS, Bhatoe HS, Singh P, Batish VK. Improved preservation of facial nerve in transtemporal approaches to the skull base. Med J Armed Forces India. 2000 Jan; 56(1):13–16.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – reconstructive surgery – original article – Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project (No. 20207/95)
2	Chakraborty SK. Fissured and burning tongue. Med J Armed Forces India. 2000 Jan; 56(1):89.	Oral medicine and radiology – diseases of tongue – letters to the Editor – no source of funding
2	MJAFI Vol 56:3 July 2000
1	Mehta AK, Ravikumar R, Anomalous elongation of styloid process. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Jul; 56(3): 248–249.	Oral medicine and radiology – Eagle syndrome – case report – no source of funding
3	MJAFI Vol 56:4 October 2000
1	Chatterjee T, Panda PK. A pathological study of benign and malignant tumours of salivary Glands. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Oct; 56(4): 282–286.	Oral pathology and microbiology – salivary gland tumours – original article – no source of funding
4	MJAFI Vol 57:1 January 2001
1	Anand AC, Pardal PK, Sachdev VP. Dental caries and periodontal disorders in chronic liver disease. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Jan; 57(1):26–30.	Community dentistry, periodontics – dental knowledge – original article – no source of funding
2	Virmani BK, Singh RP. A case of facial diplegia. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Jan; 57(1):72–73.	Oral medicine and radiology – diseases of nerve – case report – no source of funding
3	Harjai M, Puri B, Dubey AK, Nagpal BM, Singh Y. Craniosynostosis: management in infancy. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Jan; 57(1):75–77.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – craniofacial deformities – original article – no source of funding
5	MJAFI Vol 57:2 April 2001
1	Nambiar BC, Prabhakar T, Manrai KP, Rawat GS. Macroglossia: a rare clinical entity. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Apr; 57(2):169–171.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – diseases of tongue – case report – no source of funding
6	MJAFI Vol 57:3 July 2001
1	Behl A, Raghavan D, Pandey SS, Mani H. Giant epidermoid cyst of the floor of mouth. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Jul; 57(3):247–249.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – cysts of oral cavity – case report – no source of funding
2	Singh H, Arora S, Chikara D. Temporal bone fracture with facial nerve palsy. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Jul; 57(3):258–259.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – case report – no source of funding
7	MJAFI Vol 57:4 October 2001
1	Sapru BL. “Distraction osteogenesis” an emerging concept in the correction of craniofacial deformities. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Oct; 57(4):273–274.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – craniofacial deformities – editorial – no source of funding
2	Chowdhury SKR, Sapru BL, Awasthi PN. Clinico – radiographic evaluation of xenografts in maxillofacial surgery. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Oct; 57(4):281–284.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – craniofacial deformities – original article – no source of funding
3	Sapru BL, Dasgupta D, Rajaram T. Odontoameloblastoma: A rare odontogenic tumour. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Oct; 57(4):333–334.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and microbiology – odontogenic tumors – case report – no source of funding
4	Sharma HS, Chopra SS. Bonded rapid palatal expansion — An important adjuvant in multiphasic orthodontic therapy. Med J Armed Forces India. 2001 Oct; 57(4):339–341.	Oral medicine and radiology, orthodontics – orthodontic treatment – case report – no source of funding
8	MJAFI Vol 58:1 January 2002
1	Sharma HS. Orthodontic anchorage enhancement with lingual arch. Med J Armed Forces India. 2002 Jan; 58(1):70–71.	Orthodontics – anchorage – methods in medicine – no source of funding
9	MJAFI Vol 58:2 April 2002
1	Sapru BL, Khan R, RajaramT. Ewing's sarcoma of mandible — A rare neoplasm. Med J Armed Forces India. 2002 Apr; 58(2):165–168.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and microbiology – neoplasms of jaws – case report – no source of funding
10	MJAFI Vol 58:3 July 2002
1	Sapru BL, Jeyaraj P, Mukherjee B. Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy. Med J Armed Forces India. 2002 Jul; 58(3):253–256.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and microbiology – neoplasms of jaws – case report – no source of funding
2	Dubey AK, Gupta RK. Treacher Collins Syndrome – a report on two cases. Med J Armed Forces India. 2002 Jul; 58(3):267–268.	Oral medicine and radiology, orthodontics, oral pathology and microbiology – Treacher Collins Syndrome – case report – no source of funding
11	MJAFI Vol 58:4 October 2002
1	Jayan B, Nandi AK, Dhot HS. Cleft palate rehabilitation: A combined orthodontic surgical and prosthodontic approach. Med J Armed Forces India. 2002 Oct; 58(4):340–342.	Orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics – cleft palate rehabilitation – case report – no source of funding
2	Chakraborty SK, Nema SK. Eccrine cylindroma of lip. Med J Armed Forces India. 2002 Oct; 58(4):346–347.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and microbiology – eccrine tumours – case report – no source of funding
12	MJAFI Vol 59:1 January 2003
1	Ahuja A, Darekar HS. Community dentistry in armed forces. Med J Armed Forces India. 2003 Jan; 59(1):18–20.	Community dentistry, periodontics – oral health – original article – no source of funding
2	Sreevastava DK, Tarneja VK. Anaphylactic reaction: an overview. Med J Armed Forces India. 2003 Jan; 59(1):53–56.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – anaphylactic reaction – emergency medicine – no source of funding
3	Sharma HS, Kumar P. Lingual arch as an integral auxiliary in preadjusted edgewise appliance. Med J Armed Forces India. 2003 Jan; 59(1):58–60.	Orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery – anchorage – case report – no source of funding
4	Singh Y, Singh C. Ramsay Hunt syndrome treated with oral acyclovir. Med J Armed Forces India. 2003 Jan; 59(1):67–69.	Oral medicine and radiology–diseases of nerve – case report – no source of funding
13	MJAFI Vol 59:4 October 2003
1	Sengupta J, Sharma SK, Sahu D. PG canine retraction spring. Med J Armed Forces India. 2003 Oct; 59(4):337–338.	Orthodontics – orthodontic treatment – methods in medicine – no source of funding
2	Mehta AK, Panwar SS, Verma RK, Pal AK. Buccal fat pad reconstruction in oral submucosal fibrosis. Med J Armed Forces India. 2003 Oct; 59(4):340–341.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – reconstructive surgery – case report – no source of funding
14	MJAFI Vol 60:1 January 2004
1	Raju U, Dhulia A, Sharma M. Beckwith weidemann syndrome. Med J Armed Forces India. 2004 Jan; 60(1):69–70.	Oral medicine and radiology – Beckwith weidemann syndrome – case report – no source of funding
15	MJAFI Vol 60:3 July 2004
1	Sharma YK, Sawhney MPS, Bhakuni DS, Gera V. Orocutaneous manifestations as markers of disease progression in HIV infection in Indian setting. Med J Armed Forces India. 2004 Jul; 60(3): 239–243.	Oral medicine and radiology – oral manifestations of HIV – original article – no source of funding
2	Shukul VK, Saxena S, Shankar BG. Desmoplastic fibroma: Mandible. Med J Armed Forces India. 2004 Jul; 60(3): 307–309.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and microbiology – spindle cell neoplasms – case report – no source of funding
16	MJAFI Vol 60:4 October 2004
1	Damle SG. Preventive dentistry: An achievable dream. Med J Armed Forces India. 2004 Oct; 60(4):322–323.	Pedodontics – preventive dentistry – guest column – no source of funding
2	Chowdhury SKR, Mohan SM. Maxillofacial injuries in counter proxy war posture of the Armed Forces. Med J Armed Forces India. 2004 Oct; 60(4):357–362.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics – maxillofacial injuries – original article – no source of funding
3	Bandyopadhyay TK, Sapru BL. Management of an isolated orbital blow–out fracture. Med J Armed Forces India. 2004 Oct; 60(4):392–394.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – case report – no source of funding
17	MJAFI Vol 61:1 January 2005
1	Bandyopadhyay TK, Thapliyal GK, Dubey AK. Reconstruction of cranial defects in armed forces personnel – Our experience. Med J Armed Forces India. 2005 Jan; 61(1):36–40.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics – reconstructive surgery – original article – no source of funding
18	MJAFI Vol 61:2 April 2005
1	Chopra SS, Pandey SS. Bonded Pendulum Appliance. Med J Armed Forces India. 2005 Apr; 61(2):171–173.	Orthodontics – orthodontic treatment – methods in medicine – no source of funding
19	MJAFI Vol 61:3 July 2005
1	Chowdhury SKR, Menon PS. Etiology and management of zygomaticomaxillary complex fractures in the Armed Forces. Med J Armed Forces India. 2005 Jul; 61(3):238–240.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – original article – no source of funding
2	Menon S, Chowdhury SKR, Mohan C. Arteriovenous malformation in Mandible. Med J Armed Forces India. 2005 Jul; 61(3):295–296.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – arteriovenous malformation of jaws – case report – no source of funding
3	Thapliyal GK, Bandyopadhyay TK, Kaushik SK. Non–syndromal facial asymmetry. Med J Armed Forces India. 2005 Jul; 61(3):297–299.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics – craniofacial deformities – case report – no source of funding
20	MJAFI Vol 61:4 October 2005
1	Menon S, Manerikar R, Chowdhury SKR, Mohan SM. Distraction Osteogenesis in management of mandibular deformities. Med J Armed Forces India. 2005Oct; 61(4):345–347.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics – craniofacial deformities – original article – no source of funding
21	MJAFI Vol 62:2 April 2006
1	Ramachandran S. Biomaterial update in restorative dentistry. Med J Armed Forces India. 2006 Apr; 62(2):180.	Prosthodontics – dental impressions and crowns – drug update – no source of funding
2	Anand SS, Sood V, Kumar PG, Suryanarayana KM, Kotwal N. Lingual thyroid. Med J Armed Forces India. 2006 Apr; 62(2):184–185.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – diseases of tongue – case report – no source of funding
22	MJAFI Vol 62:3 July 2006
1	Chowdhury SKR, Menon PS, Vasant MR, Jayan B, Dhiman RK, Karkun S. Secondary and delayed bone grafting in alveolar and anterior palatal clefts. Med J Armed Forces India. 2006 Jul; 62(3):231–235.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, prosthodontics – craniofacial deformities – original article – no source of funding
2	Ravishanker R. Furlow's palatoplasty for cleft palate repair. Med J Armed Forces India. 2006 Jul; 62(3):239–242.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – cleft palate rehabilitation – original article – no source of funding
3	Kumar N, Walia NS, Sandhu MS, Grover N. Toxic epidermal necrolysis: A case report. Med J Armed Forces India. 2006 Jul; 62(3):271–272.	Oral medicine and radiology – Oral manifestations of toxic epidermal necrolysis – case report – no source of funding
23	MJAFI Vol 63:1 January 2007
1	Chopra SS, Pandey SS. Occupational hazards among dental surgeons. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Jan; 63(1):23–25.	Community dentistry, oral medicine and radiology, conservative dentistry and endodontics – occupational hazards – original article – no source of funding
2	Jain VS, Singh KK, Sachdeva Y. A case of adenoid cystic carcinoma parotid with perineural spread. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Jan; 63(1):67–68.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and microbiology – salivary gland tumours – case report – no source of funding
3	Chakraborty SK. Management of bilateral condylar fractures: Case review. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Jan; 63(1):85–87.	Oral medicine and radiology, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – case report – no source of funding
24	MJAFI Vol 63:3 July 2007
1	Dua P, Gupta SH, Ramachandran S, Sandhu HS. Evaluation of four elastomeric interocclusal recording materials. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Jul; 63(3):237–240.	Prosthodontics – dental impressions and crowns – original article – no source of funding
2	Londhe SM, Garge HG. Single visit root canal treatment. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Jul; 63(3):273–274.	Conservative dentistry and endodontics – endodontic treatment – methods in medicine – no source of funding
3	John BM. Acrorenal mandibular syndrome. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Jul; 63(3):297.	Oral medicine and radiology, pedodontics – Acrorenal mandibular syndrome – case report – no source of funding
25	MJAFI Vol 63:4 October 2007
1	Gowda EM, Bhat PS, Swamy MM. Dental health requirements for psychiatric patients. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Oct; 63(4):328–330.	Community dentistry, periodontics – oral health – original article – no source of funding
2	Menon S, Chowdhury SKR. Evaluation of bioresorbable vis–à–vis titanium plates and screws for craniofacial fractures and osteotomies. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Oct; 63(4):331–333.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – craniofacial deformities – original article – no source of funding
3	Mandlik VB, Jha AK. Periochip. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Oct; 63(4):368–369.	Periodontics–local drug delivery – drug review – no source of funding
4	Chakraborty SK. Eminectomy for the management of closed lock of temporomandibular joint. Med J Armed Forces India. 2007 Oct; 63(4):384–385.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial – diseases of temporomandibular joint – case report – no source of funding
26	MJAFI Vol 64:1 January 2008
1	Londhe SM, Viswambaran M, Kumar P. Multidisciplinary management of oligodontia. Med J Armed Forces India. 2008 Jan; 64(1):67–69.	Oral medicine and radiology, periodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery – oligodontia – case report – no source of funding
27	MJAFI Vol 64:2 April 2008
1	Choudhury B, Das AK. Supernumerary tooth in the nasal cavity. Med J Armed Forces India. 2008 Apr; 64(2):173–174.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – Super numerary tooth – case report – no source of funding
2	Singh S, Roy S, Mandlik VB, Thapliyal GK, Prasanth T. Pouch and tunnel technique for root coverage using palatal connective tissue graft. Med J Armed Forces India. 2008 Apr; 64(2):191–192.	Periodontics – mucogingival surgery – case report – no source of funding
28	MJAFI Vol 64:3 July 2008
1	Thapliyal GK, Sinha R, Menon PS, Chakranarayan A. Management of mandibular fractures. Med J Armed Forces India. 2008 Jul; 64(3):218–220.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – original article – no source of funding
2	Kapila K, Gupta RM, Chopra GS. Post–exposure prophylaxis: What every health care worker should know. Med J Armed Forces India. 2008 Jul; 64(3):250–253.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, community dentistry – Post – exposure prophylaxis–update article– no source of funding
29	MJAFI Vol 64:4 October 2008
1	Jeyaraj P, Mohan SM. Dentigerous cyst of mandible with multiple complex odontomes. Med J Armed Forces India. 2008 Oct; 64(4):382–383.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and microbiology – odontogenic cysts – case report – no source of funding
2	Roy ID. Peripheral osteoma of mandible. Med J Armed Forces India. 2008 Oct; 64(4):385–386.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral pathology and microbiology – neoplasms of jaws – case report – no source of funding
3	Londhe SM, Garge HG, Sudeep S. Reattachment of crown fragment for immediate esthetics. Med J Armed Forces India. 2008 Oct; 64(4):387–388.	Oral medicine and radiology, conservative dentistry and endodontics – post and core – case report – no source of funding
30	MJAFI Vol 65:2 April 2009
1	Sinha R. Paradigm shift in dental sciences: Are we in it ! Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):102.	Community dentistry, implantology – recent advances in dental sciences – editorial – no source of funding
2	Sharma V, Sengupta J. Modifications to increase efficiency of the begg orthodontic technique. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):118–122.	OrthodonticsVorthodontic treatment – original article – funded research
3	Jayan B, Prasad B N, Dhiman RK. Role of oral appliances in the management of sleep disorders. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):123–127.	Orthodontics, oral medicine and radiology – sleep disorders – original article – funded research
4	Chattopadhyay PK, Chander M. Management of zygomatic complex fracture in armed forces. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):128–130.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – original article – no source of funding
5	Dhiman RK, Chowdhury SKR. Midline fractures in single maxillary complete acrylic vs flexible dentures. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):141–145.	Prosthodontics – denture fabrication–original article– funded research
6	Yadav RK. Marginal accuracy of castings produced with different investment systems. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):146–149.	Prosthodontics, conservative dentistry and endodontics – casting – original article – funded research
7	Vasant MR, Menon S, Kannan S. Maxillary expansion in cleft lip and palate using Quad helix and rapid palatal expansion screw. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):150–153.	orthodontics – orthodontic treatment – original article – no source of funding
8	Mohan KR, Simalti AK, Kanitkar M. Cases of Beckwith–Wiedman syndrome. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):182–183.	Oral medicine and radiology – Beckwith weidemann syndrome – case report – no source of funding
9	Gupta R, Prasad PL. Congenital hypoplasia of depressor angularis oris muscle. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):188–189.	Oral medicine and radiology, pedodontics – congenital disorders of muscle – case report – no source of funding
10	Londhe SM, Roy ID, Kumar P. Management of bilateral impacted maxillary canines. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Apr; 65(2):190 – 192.	Oral medicine and radiology, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery – orthodontic treatment – case report – no source of funding
31	MJAFI Vol 65:3 July 2009
1	Gupta V, Sahoo NK. Extracorporeal fixation of displaced mandibular condylar fracture: Viable option. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Jul; 65(3):229–231.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – original article – no source of funding
2	Sahoo NK, Sinha R, Menon PS, Sharma R. Retrospective study on efficacy of intermaxillary fixation screws. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Jul; 65(3):237–239.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – original article – no source of funding
3	Panwa MR, Gupta SH. Local drug delivery with tetracycline fiber: An alternative to surgical periodontal therapy. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Jul; 65(3):244–246.	Periodontics – local drug delivery – original article – funded research
4	Shamim T. Pathological quiz. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Jul; 65(3):267,286.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral pathology and microbiology–oral lichen planus – quiz – no source of funding
32	MJAFI Vol 65:4 October 2009
1	Goswami MM. Comparison of crestal bone loss along two implant crest module designs. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Oct; 65(4):319–322.	Implantology – crestal bone loss – original article – funded research
2	Mohan SM, Kaushik SK. Root canal treatment using thermoplasticized carrier condensation technique. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Oct; 65(4):336–341.	Conservative dentistry and endodontics – endodontic treatment – original article – funded research
33	MJAFI Vol 66:1 January 2010
1	Venugopal MG, Sinha R, Menon PS, Chattopadhyay PK, Chowdhury SKR. Fractures in the maxillofacial region: A four year retrospective study. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jan; 66(1):14–17.	Oral medicine and radiology, oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries – original article – no source of funding
2	Prasanth T, Mandlik VB, Kumar S, Jha AK, Kosala M. Evaluation of aerosol and water contamination and control of cross infection in dental clinics. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jan; 66(1):37–40.	Community dentistry, oral pathology and microbiology – infection control – original article – no source of funding
3	Khanna A. Crown cementing strategy for naval divers. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jan; 66(1):46–49.	Conservative dentistry and endodontics, prosthodontics – restorative materials – original article – funded research
4	Panwar M, Jayan B, Mandlik VB, Jha AK. Combined periodontal and orthodontic treatment of pathologic migration of anterior teeth. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jan; 66(1):67–69.	Periodontics, orthodontics – pathological migration of teeth – case report – no source of funding
5	Grover S, Verma R, Mani NS, Grewal RS, Singh GK. Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: Two rare presentations. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jan; 66(1):73–75.	Oral medicine and radiology – oral manifestations of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma – case report – no source of funding
6	Swami H, Dutta A, Nambiar S. Recurrent bell's palsy. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jan; 66(1):95–96.	Oral medicine and radiology–diseases of nerve – case report – no source of funding
34	MJAFI Vol 66:2 April 2010
1	Kamat UR, Chowdhury SKR, Jayan B, Kharbanda OP, Gupta SH. Surgically assisted Maxillo–mandibular transverse expansion. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Apr; 66(2):190–192.	Orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillo – mandibular expansion – case report – no source of funding
35	MJAFI Vol 66:3 July 2010
1	Londhe SM, Kumar P, Mitra R, Kotwal A. Efficacy of second molar to achieve anchorage control in maximum anchorage cases. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jul; 66(3):220–224.	Orthodontics – anchorage – original article – funded research
2	Sharma MC, Arora V. Determination of working length of root canal. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jul; 66(3):231–234.	Oral medicine and radiology, conservative dentistry and endodontics – endodontic treatment – original article – funded research
3	D'Souza DSJ, Kumar M. Esthetics and biocompatibility of composite dental laminates. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jul; 66(3):239–243.	Conservative dentistry and endodontics, periodontics – restorative materials – original article – funded research
4	Chopra SS. Functional jaw orthopaedics for management of Class II division 1 malocclusion. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jul; 66(3):285 – 287.	Oral medicine and radiology, orthodontics, – orthodontic treatment–case report – no source of funding
5	Gundgurthi A, Dutta MK, Pakhetra R, Garg MK. Missed diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2 B. Med J Armed Forces India. 2010 Jul; 66(3):295–297.	Oral medicine and radiology – oral manifestations of multiple endocrine neoplasia – case report – no source of funding
36	MJAFI Vol 66:4 October 2010
1	Kumar M, D'Souza DSJ. Comparative evaluation of two techniques in achieving balanced occlusion in complete dentures. Med J Armed Forces India .2010 Oct; 66(4):362–366.	Prosthodontics – denture fabrication – original article– funded research
37	MJAFI Vol 67:1 January 2011
1	Shah R, Singh JP, Kumar M, D'Souza DSJ. Dimensional accuracy of castings fabricated with ringless and metal ring investment systems for implant supported fixed dental prosthesis: An in–vitro comparative study. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Jan; 67(1):46–51.	Implantology – casting – original article – no source of funding
2	Virender S, Sunita BS, Sridhar PS, Rautray D, SinghHP, Kallur KG, Nagaraj KR. Carcinoma buccal mucosa with metastasis to left adrenal. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Jan; 67(1):80–82.	Oral medicine and radiology,oral and maxillofacial surgery,oral pathology and microbiology – metastatic tumors of oral cavity – case report – no source of funding
3	Kachewar S, Singh H, Sasane AG, Bhadane S. Full blown case of lipoid proteinosis. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Jan; 67(1):90–91.	Oral medicine and radiology – oral manifestations of lipoid proteinosis –case report – no source of funding
38	MJAFI Vol 67:2 April 2011
1	Mitra R, Londhe SM, Kumar P. A comparative evaluation of rate of space closure after extraction using E–chain and stretched modules in bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion cases. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Apr; 67(2):152–156.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics – space closure–original article – funded research
39	MJAFI Vol 67:3 July 2011
1	Dhillon N, Kumar M, D'Souza DSJ. Effect of water temperature and duration of immersion on the marginal accuracy of provisional crowns. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Jul; 67(3):237–240.	Prosthodontics,conservative dentistry and endodontics – dental impressions and crowns – original article – no source of funding
2	Sinha R, Menon PS, Venugopal MG. A clinical evaluation of midface advancement using intraoral distractors in management of bone stock deficiencies. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Jul; 67(3):245–252.	Oral medicine and radiology,oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics – craniofacial deformities– original article – funded research
3	Dhir V, Jha AK. Microsurgical treatment of gingival recession by subepithelial connective tissue graft: a case report. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Jul; 67(3):293–295.	Periodontics – mucogingival surgery – case report – no source of funding
4	D'Souza DSJ, Dua P. Rehabilitation strategies for partially edentulous prosthodontic principles and current trends. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Jul; 67(3):296–298.	Prosthodontics,implantology – decision making – review article – no source of funding
40	MJAFI Vol 67:4 October 2011
1	Viswambaran M, Kapri A, D'Souza DSJ, Kumar M. An evaluation of fracture resistance of interim fixed partial denture fabricated using polymethylmethacrylate and reinforced by different fibres for its optimal placement: an in vitro study. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Oct; 67(4):343–347.	Prosthodontics – denture fabrication – original article – no source of funding
2	Datana S, Radhakrishnan V. Internal resorption: an unusual form of tooth resorption. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Oct; 67(4):364–366.	Oral medicine and radiology, conservative dentistry and endodontics – pulpal pathosis – case report – no source of funding
3	Kumar S, Sengupta J. Endodontic treatment for mandibular molars using ProTaper. Med J Armed Forces India .2011 Oct; 67(4):377–379.	Oral medicine and radiology, conservative dentistry and endodontics – endodontic treatment – case report – no source of funding
41	MJAFI Vol 68:1 January 2012
1	Hammond D, Arafat A, Bainton R. Revisiting the Boyne procedure. Med J Armed Forces India .2012 Jan; 68(1):39–41.	Oral and maxillofacial surgery – maxillofacial injuries –original article – no source of funding
2	Mandlik VB, Roy S, Jha AK. Comparative evaluation of bioglass with calcium sulphate β–hemihydrate for the treatment of intraosseous defects—a clinico–radiological study. Med J Armed Forces India .2012 Jan; 68(1):42–47.	Oral medicine and radiology, periodontics – mucogingival surgery – original article – funded research
42	MJAFI Vol 68:2 April 2012
1	Prakash P, D'Souza DSJ, Kumar M, Viswambaran M. Effect of firing cycle and surface finishing on the sag resistance of long–span metal ceramic framework using base metal alloys—an in vitro study. Med J Armed Forces India .2012 Apr; 68(2):145–150.	Prosthodontics – metallurgy –original article – no source of funding
2	Kumar M, Viswambaran M, Awasthi P, Dabra T. Enhanced aesthetics with metal–free ceramics and post systems—case reports. Med J Armed Forces India .2012 Apr; 68(2):179–181.	Prosthodontics,conservative dentistry and endodontics – dental impressions and crowns – case report – no source of funding
43	MJAFI Vol 68:3 July 2012
1	Sharma R.Modifications to Norman's procedure for hypermobility of the TMJ. Med J Armed Forces India .2012 Jul; 68(3):231–235.	Oral medicine and radiology,oral and maxillofacial surgery– diseases of temporomandibular joint –original article– no source of funding
44	MJAFI Vol 68:4 October 2012
1	Chauhan A, Kulshrestha P, Kapoor S, Singh H, Jacob MJ, Patel M, Ganguly M. Comparison of PET/CT with conventional imaging modalities (USG, CECT) in evaluation of N0 neck in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Med J Armed Forces India .2012 Oct; 68(4):322–327.	Oral medicine and radiology,oral pathology and microbiology – Head and neck cancer – original article – no source of funding
2	Singh S, Sinha R, Kar SK, Ather A, Limaye SN. Effect of chlorine dioxide and sodium hypochlorite on the dissolution of human pulp tissue – An in vitro study. Med J Armed Forces India .2012 Oct; 68(4):356–359.	Consevative dentistry and endodontics – endodontic treatment –original article – no source of funding
3	Venkatesh MD, Vijaya N, Girish N, Galagali JR. Giant cell tumor of temporal bone: A case report. Med J Armed Forces India .2012 Oct; 68(4):392–394.	Oral medicine and radiology,oral and maxillofacial surgery,oral pathology and microbiology – craniofacial tumors – case report – no source of funding
45	MJAFI Vol 69:1 January 2013
1	Guruprasada, Thapliyal GK, Pawar VR. A comparative analysis of periimplant bone levels of immediate and conventionally loaded implants. Med J Armed Forces India .2013 Jan; 69(1):41–47.	Implantology–periimplant bone level – original article– Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project (No–3763/2007)
2	Singh S, Panwar M, Arora V. Management of mucosal fenestration by multidisciplinary approach: A rare case report. Med J Armed Forces India .2013 Jan; 69(1):86–89.	Oral medicine and radiology, conservative dentistry and endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, Periodontics – mucogingival surgery – case report – no source of funding
46	MJAFI Vol 69:4 October 2013
1	Kumar P, Londhe SM, Kotwal A, Mitra R.Prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need in schoolchildren – An epidemiological study. Med J Armed Forces India .2013 Oct; 69(4):369–374.	Community dentistry, orthodontics – orthodontic treatment – original article – funded research
47	MJAFI Vol 70:1 January 2014
1	Arora V, Sharma MC, Dwivedi R. Comparative evaluation of retentive properties of acid etched resin bonded fixed partial dentures. Med J Armed Forces India .2014 Jan; 70(1):53–57.	Conservative dentistry and endodontics, prosthodontics–dental impressions and crowns– original article– funded research
48	MJAFI Vol 70:2 April 2014
1	Mukundan H, Sarin A, Gill BS, Neelakantan A. MRI and PET–CT: Comparison in post–treatment evaluation of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Med J Armed Forces India .2014 Apr; 70(2):111–115.	Oral medicine and radiology – Head and neck cancer – original article – funded research
2	Viswambaran M, Arora V, Tripathi RC, Dhiman RK. Clinical evaluation of immediate implants using different types of bone augmentation materials. Med J Armed Forces India .2014 Apr; 70(2):154–162.	Implantology – bone augmentation materials – original article– funded research
49	MJAFI Vol 70:3 July 2014
1	Mishra AK, Nilakantan A, Sahai K, Datta R, Malik A. Contact endoscopy of mucosal lesions of oral cavity – Preliminary experience. Med J Armed Forces India .2014 Jul; 70(3):257–263.	Oral medicine and radiology,oral pathology and microbiology–contact endoscopy – original article – no source of funding
2	Sharma MC, Arora V.Clinical evaluation of overdenture retention using indigenous dental implants. Med J Armed Forces India .2014 Jul; 70(3):264–269.	Implantology – overdenture retention – original article – Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project
50	MJAFI Vol 70:4 October 2014
1	Rath SK, Sinha R, D'Souza D. Evolving surgical prosthetic rehabilitation protocol for success of dental implant placed in distracted alveolar ridge. Med J Armed Forces India .2014 Oct; 70(4):364–370.	Implantology – prosthetic rehabilitation – original article – Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project

Discussion

From this study, it was interpreted that original articles (55) take a major share of published articles and case reports (49) form the second major share. Methods in medicine (4), editorials (2), guest column (1), review article (1), update article (1), emergency medicine (1), drug update (1), drug review (1), quiz (1) and letters to the editor (1) form the remaining share of the dental speciality related articles published in MJAFI.

Regarding the relationship with dental specialities, the maximum number of published articles were related to oral medicine and radiology (56) followed by oral and maxillofacial surgery (49), orthodontics (23), prosthodontics (17), oral pathology and microbiology (16), conservative dentistry and endodontics (15), periodontics (12), implantology (8), community dentistry (8) and pedodontics (3). Among the articles published in MJAFI, maxillofacial injuries (11) followed by orthodontic treatment (8), craniofacial deformities (8), dental impressions and crowns (5) and endodontic treatment (5) form the major attraction of the contributors. The highest number of dental specialities related articles was published in 2009 with 16, followed by 2010 with 13 and 2011 with 11 and the least published year was 2013 with 3 articles.

Among the 118 dental speciality articles, there were only 4 Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project articles and 19 funded research project articles. The highest number of articles was published in 2009 with 7 funded research project articles and 2 Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Project articles in 2014.

The main limitation of this study is that the topic related to individual dental specialty is made by the author himself and some topics are common in all dental specialties. Obviously, there will be individual variation in grouping a particular topic to an individual dental specialty.

Conclusion

To conclude, an equal distribution of articles related to clinical dentistry and nonclinical dentistry is maintained for the MJAFI from 2000 to 2014 over a 15-year period. It is anticipated that this study will apprise the editorial board as to the range of articles being published in the field of dental sciences and also guide them to select articles for publication on priority. In future, the editorial board can select topics based on merit rather than specialty.

Conflicts of interest

The author has none to declare.