Editorial: The First Impact Factor of the Journal of Diagnostics and Treatment of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology

The journal impact factor (JIF) is a measure that provides a ratio of citations to a journal in a given year to the citable items in the prior two years. The JIF has become a symbol and measure of a journal's prestige in the modern world of peer-reviewed publications. The difficulty and importance for a peer-reviewed journal to obtain an impact factor has been highlighted in numerous medical journals. Irving H. Sher and Eugene Garfield were the first to create the concept of the impact factor of a peer-reviewed journal. According to Eugene Garfield (2006), the JIF is based on two elements: the numerator, which is the number of citations in the current year to items published in the previous two years, and the denominator, which is the number of substantive articles and reviews published in the same two years. Scientists around the world may notice that as of 2024, the JIF is calculated not only by Clarivate, but also by exaly. Clarivate is known for being the company that calculates the JIF, using data from its Web of Science product family, that also includes services/applications such as Publons, etc. In this editorial, we will explain in more detail why the JIF is important both for the peer-reviewed journals published in Ukraine and for Ukrainian authors. Also, let's also explain how both the impact factor calculated by Web of Science and the impact factor calculated by exaly can be useful. The article presents the experience of the Journal of Diagnostics and Treatment of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in assigning it an impact factor calculated by the exaly. The advantages for Ukrainian authors of publishing articles in the journals with an impact factor are presented. According to the Order of the Ministry of Healthcare of Ukraine of February 22, 2019, No. 446, publication of an article or review in a journal with an impact factor allows an oral and maxillofacial surgeon to be awarded 20 or 30 continuing professional development (CPD) points. The CPD points obtained are necessary for doctors to the annual review of their personal educational portfolio with CPD points, certification, confirmation or obtaining a new doctor’s category. In summary, the peer-reviewed journal that has received an impact factor automatically becomes a kind of provider of CPD activities for healthcare professionals, for which CPD points are awarded.