The main goal at the time the Brazilian Dental Journal was launched 10 years ago was to publish a Journal in English to facilitate communication between Brazilian researchers and clinicians with colleagues in the rest of the world. With roots in the School of Dentistry and the Dental Foundation in Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, most of the papers in the first volumes originated from the faculty at this dental school. However, from volume 3 on, scientific reports from other Brazilian dental schools have been published. Thus, the Journal has achieved one of its initial goals to establish itself as a forum for the presentation of Brazilian dental research to the rest of the world. This does not mean that all, or even the major part of the results from Brazilian dental research is published in the BDJ, but it is an important vehicle that is available to Brazilian dental researchers to present data in a language understood by colleagues in the international research community.
    Modern dental research at the international level focuses on areas like genetics, molecular biology, biomimetics and tissue engineering using sophisticated and expensive research equipment. The results from these research efforts clearly have the potential to benefit dental practice in the future. However, they do not solve some of the major problems encountered in everyday clinical practice all over the world. Thus, clinical dental research is still very much in need. If dentistry can identify and define its problems as they are encountered in general practice, it is likely that basic science research can solve the problems. Conversely, if clinical dentistry cannot identify its problems, it is unlikely that they will be solved. Practice-based research should, therefore, become an integral part of dental research (Mjör and Wilson, J Dent Res 1997;76:820-1). This is an area of research where major contributions can be made by Brazilian researchers and clinicians.
    The Journal has come a long way in making Brazilian dental research known internationally. The administrators and editors of the Journal should be congratulated on their achievements. Those who have financially supported the publishing of the BDJ must also be acknowledged for their major contribution to Brazilian dentistry. We live in a competitive world with limited resources and competition at all levels. Prioritizing of resources is part of everyday life. Let us hope the financial backing for the BDJ continues and I predict it will be a fruitful investment that will be recognized by a successful future for the BDJ.