About CDA
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) is a trusted national voice for dentists and leader working to improve the oral health of all people living in Canada. We promote oral health, support our members, and advance the dental profession. Founded in 1902, CDA has no regulatory role and is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization whose corporate members are Canada’s provincial and territorial dental associations (PTDAs). We represent over 21,000 practising dentists nationwide and are a trusted brand and source of information about oral health and the dental profession on national and international issues.
JCDA Mission Statement
Journal of the Canadian Dental Association (JCDA) is the flagship scholarly publication of CDA. It is dedicated to advancing the dental profession through publishing peer-reviewed scientific research that supports dental professionals in delivering evidence-based care and provides information on issues significant to the profession.
About JCDA
The origins of JCDA can be traced back to the late 19th century and the efforts of early leaders in Canadian dentistry to create a national platform for professional knowledge sharing.
In 1868, Dr. George W. Beers, DDS, the first dean of the McGill Dental School, established the Canada Journal of Dental Sciences, the first dental journal in Canada. As its founding editor, Dr. Beers led the journal from 1868 to 1879. Despite its early influence, the publication struggled financially, ultimately ending publication in 1888 and merging into the Dominion Dental Journal, which became the primary voice of dentists across Canada. The Dominion Dental Journal was published from 1889 until 1934.
In 1935, JCDA was created through the amalgamation of the Dominion Dental Journal and La Revue Dentaire Canadienne. Over the following decades, this printed publication served as a professional magazine and a respected source of peer-reviewed clinical research for the dental community.
A major shift occurred in 2014 when the CDA discontinued the print version of JCDA and transitioned the publication to a fully digital format, along with the launch of CDA Essentials / L’essentiel de l’ADC magazine for association news and updates. Further, since 2016, JCDA has focused exclusively on publishing original research, comprehensive literature reviews and proceedings from scholarly meetings.
Today, JCDA is an online open access publication dedicated to publishing and disseminating high-quality peer-reviewed dental research. It publishes original English language articles, serving as a platform for advancing dental knowledge in the realm of dental research.
JCDA’s readership includes dentists, dental specialists, researchers, health care professionals, policymakers, and members of the public seeking authoritative and evidence-based oral health information.
JCDA is indexed in Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science. Articles published in JCDA are included in MEDLINE (searchable via PubMed) and the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). JCDA is also listed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) with an Impact Factor reported by Clarivate.
JCDA Scientific Editor – Dr. Astha Shah
Dr. Astha Shah is a dentist and specialist in Dental Public Health with expertise in epidemiology, health program planning, public health policy, and research. Born and raised in Kuwait, Dr. Shah earned her dental degree from India and then went on to complete her specialty residency in Dental Public Health from University of Toronto. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH). Dr. Shah has clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings and is dedicated to oral health advocacy, awareness, accessibility, and promotion at the population level. Her expertise lies at the intersection of research and public health, with a focus on improving equitable access to oral health care and advancing evidence-based practices. Dr. Shah has served as a peer reviewer for several leading journals, including Scientific Reports, British Dental Journal, BMC Oral Health, European Journal of Medical Research, Journal of Public Health Dentistry and Journal of Dental Education, among others. In addition to being the Scientific Editor for JCDA, Dr. Shah also serves as a Health Policy Advisor for CDA.
JCDA Editorial Team
Managing Editor – Sean McNamara
Publications Specialist – Michelle Bergeron
Front-end Developer – JP Nuyens
Graphic Designer – Carlos Castro
Q&A
What is JCDA’s format?
JCDA is a digital-only publication that prioritizes accessible, timely, and practitioner-focused content designed to support clinical decision-making and professional development.
Who owns and publishes JCDA?
JCDA is fully owned and published by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and operates as an integral part of CDA’s knowledge dissemination and professional support ecosystem. This falls under CDA’s Trusted Voice strategic priority as part of its strategic plan.
What is the journal’s access and publication model?
JCDA publishes articles on an on-going basis. The journal uses a diamond open-access model, meaning that it is free for readers and free for authors, with no article processing charges (APCs). This model aligns with CDA’s commitment to broad and equitable knowledge dissemination. It also enhances global reach, increases citation potential, and aligns with best practices in modern academic publishing.
Are there any charges for authors associated with publishing articles on JCDA?
No. As part of its diamond open-access model, JCDA does not charge APCs or submission fees.
What peer-review model does JCDA use, and how is its editorial structure organized?
JCDA uses a double-blinded peer-review process supported by the scientific editor, an editorial team and an external network of subject matter expert reviewers. The structure is designed to ensure scientific rigour while maintaining efficient turnaround times.
What are the timelines from submission to acceptance and to publication?
Typical timelines vary by manuscript type, but JCDA has recently invested in more efficient digital workflows that reduce administrative delays. The journal’s paperless system and editorial software support faster peer review, copyediting, and publication compared to traditional print-based workflows. From submission to first decision, it can be up to 3 months. The timeline from first decision to publication can range from 9 months to one year.
How can I submit a manuscript to JCDA?
Please consult the 'For Authors' section for a complete set of submission instructions. Manuscript submissions can be sent by email to: JCDA@cda-adc.ca.
How does JCDA integrate with digital platforms?
JCDA is fully digital and paperless, integrating indexing metadata, multimedia features such as downloadable PDFs, and cross-platform publishing tools/software. Its digital infrastructure supports efficient workflows and optimized discoverability.
NOTE
We are in the process of modernizing journal operations and refreshing the JCDA website. As a result, some legacy listings of contributors will no longer appear on the updated website. We deeply value your involvement and the important role you've played in maintaining JCDA’s high standard of excellence. If you’re interested in continuing to be involved with JCDA, we’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at: JCDA@cda-adc.ca.