Romandini is Associate Professor in the Department of Periodontology. He has a PhD in dentistry, and two specializations (Oral Surgery and Periodontology). Romandini has expressed an ambitious plan to elevate the Journal of Periodontal Research to "one of the top-ranked journals in dentistry".
Strategies for making a top-ranked journal in dentistry
Your plan is “founded on short publication times and expanded journal scopes, with a stronger focus on clinical research and modern aspects of periodontology and implant dentistry”. It is ambitious but also a specific plan – can you elaborate?
– The Journal of Periodontal Research is already one of the historical journals in dentistry, and it is one of the four top-ranked journals in periodontology. With a rich legacy and a history as a top journal, it's noteworthy that the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Periodontal Research was Harald Løe, a scholar from the University of Oslo. Løe, who studied here and founded the journal in 1965, served as its Editor-in-Chief for 20 years. More than one has joked that history is repeating itself, says Romandini.
– The point is that this journal has a lot of potential. In today's research landscape, what do researchers seek? I believe there are two key elements. Firstly, fast publication times are crucial. I will implement a new editorial process with the goal that every study receives its first decision letter within one month. I am optimistic about maintaining this target, recognizing that swift publication is a priority for top researchers.
Secondly, the field of periodontology has evolved beyond classical approaches, primarily focused on the treatment of periodontitis. While this aspect remains fundamental, there is now a heightened emphasis on soft and hard tissue management, implant dentistry, and associated complications (peri-implant diseases, mucogingival deformities around implants). The vision is therefore to broaden the journal's focus to encompass these modern aspects. I believe these dual strategies – rapid publication and an expanded scope – will attract the most active researchers, propelling the Journal of Periodontal Research back to its position as one of the top journals in dentistry, a status it held for many years. The potential is substantial.
Establishing a New Editorial Team
Have you already started as Editor-in-Chief?
– I will officially begin my role as Editor-in-Chief on January 1, 2024. However, there will be an initial transition phase, and I plan to start a bit earlier by managing the first submissions in mid-December 2023. Currently, there is a substantial amount of work underway to implement the changes I proposed, effective as of January 1. We are actively working on establishing the new editorial team and have issued an open call for Associate Editors and members of the Editorial Board. Additionally, we also have a call for a Junior Editorial Board, a novel initiative aimed at attracting the most talented young researchers. The latter seeks to engage individuals who may not have completed their entire educational journey or gained extensive editorial experience but have the potential to contribute and grow within the journal. The goal is for them to represent the active part of the journal both in terms of publication and Editorial Board responsibilities in the future.
– We are also focusing on two other key aspects. Firstly, we are working on the author's guidelines, not only to modify them but to expand them by including more article types. Our efforts are directed towards enhancing the content of the journal. Thirdly, and crucially, as part of my role as Editor-in-Chief, we are actively developing special issues with specific topics. We plan to commission high-quality reviews from globally recognized experts on subjects of major interest.
Research in periodontology
You started working at the University of Oslo recently. You are also conducting research at the Faculty of Dentistry – can you tell us more about your research aims or projects?
– I have learned from my mentor Mariano Sanz, who is also a faculty member here, that clinical activities involve treating one patient at a time. In education, you teach five/ten/fifty people in a unit of time, instructing them on how to treat one patient each in the same unit of time. With education, the impact is therefore tenfold compared to treating your own patient. However, in research, if you conduct quality research, you have an impact on millions of dentists who, in the same unit of time, will each treat one patient. The impact of research is therefore exponential compared to the other activities. This is what attracts me to research.
– Currently, I am integrating my projects within the department's ongoing research lines, which focus on the prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases. I have therefore initiated a randomized clinical trial on the frequency of maintenance after peri-implantitis treatment.
– Additionally, I am leading a project with Ilaria Vitali, an Italian student who received a prestigious scholarship from the Osteology Foundation to come to the University of Oslo under my mentorship. We are commencing an experimental study on the effect of keratinized tissue in preventing peri-implant diseases, addressing one of the highly controversial topics in Periodontology.
– To somewhat expand the Department's research lines, I am also conducting a randomized clinical trial comparing two different tunnelling techniques for the treatment of gingival recessions around teeth. As for the future, we'll see: more research projects will come!
Teaching and giving back knowledge
The Faculty of Dentistry is also an educational institution – do you enjoy teaching?
– I love to teach because, from the perspective of an academician, teaching is the most rewarding satisfaction. I was fortunate to study in a very good educational environment, that provided me with ample learning opportunities. I view teaching as a way to give back what I have received. Seeing people grasp and apply what you are trying to teach them is the highest satisfaction in our profession.
Are you teaching within the EFP-accredited program here as well?
– We have two teaching focuses – undergraduates and postgraduates. Currently, I am mostly focusing on the postgraduate program, the EFP-accredited one. Approximately 50% of my academic work (or even more) is currently dedicated to teaching in some way, either directly or indirectly. We are fortunate to have an excellent program, EFP-accredited, and the credit for this goes to Anders Verket and Odd Carsten Koldsland. They did an outstanding job in developing the program and obtaining EFP accreditation, which is challenging to achieve. I am honored to contribute to teaching within our Periodontology postgraduate program.
– Teaching is not always easy; you have to be able to motivate people and make difficult decisions at times. However, at the end of the day, the satisfaction comes from witnessing the growth of individuals. Fortunately, in our EFP program, we have residents with high potential and great motivation. It's crucial to mention that I aim to transmit to my students the above-mentioned modern approach to periodontology, particularly soft tissue management. I believe instilling this soft tissue approach in our students is essential. We are making significant strides and growing in this aspect as well.
Enjoying clinic and research
I can see that you also have a lot of focus on the clinical aspects of periodontology. So you enjoy both, the clinic and the research?
– As I always say, each of us can be just a good clinician, just a good educator, or just a good researcher. However, the only way to excel is to be involved in all three components together. It's the only way to reach the highest level in each one of the three. Therefore, I always try to balance the three aspects. I am primarily a clinician, but I consider myself almost at the same level as a researcher and educator. So, to answer your question, yes: I enjoy both the clinical and research sides of my job.
The legacy of Jens Wærhaug
You have already achieved quite a lot as a clinician and a researcher at a young age – why did you choose the University of Oslo as your employer?
– The answer is potential and people. Much like the Journal of Periodontal Research, the University of Oslo boasts a rich legacy. Over 60 years ago, Jens Wærhaug was employed here and is considered one of the pioneers of periodontology, conducting remarkable studies within this institution. Additionally, the University of Oslo produced two notable figures, Sigurd Ramfjord and Harald Løe, both regarded as the fathers of modern periodontology.
After studying here, Ramfjord moved to the University of Michigan, where he became a Professor and significantly contributed to modern periodontology in the United States. Harald Löe, after moving to Aarhus and becoming a Professor in periodontology, played a pivotal role in founding European periodontology before later moving to the U.S. too. In a way, modern periodontology originated here.
– The decision to come here was however driven by people. Anders and Odd Carsten were the ones who ultimately convinced me to seize this opportunity. We initially met to prepare an EFP-commissioned systematic review for the 2022 workshop on the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases. Through this work, we not only became professional collaborators but friends as well.
– At that time, I was on the verge of joining another institution, but they reached out and suggested, "Come here, spend a couple of days with your Norwegian friends. Afterward, you can confirm your commitment to the other institution". Upon visiting the University of Oslo, I discovered the immense potential and felt the significance of its history and legacy. Anders and Odd Carsten insisted and convinced me to forgo the other options and join the University of Oslo, assuring a team approach and their full support to my project to make history repeating here. How could I say no to those two guys?