Retraction Policy of the International Journal of Medical Science and Dental Health (IJMSDH)

The International Journal of Medical Science and Dental Health (IJMSDH) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of publication ethics and ensuring the integrity of the scholarly record. The journal recognizes that, in rare circumstances, published articles may require retraction when serious issues affecting the reliability, validity, or ethical standing of the work are identified.

Retractions are intended to correct the scientific literature and inform readers about publications containing seriously flawed or unreliable content. Retraction does not serve as a punishment for authors but as a mechanism to preserve the accuracy and credibility of the academic record.

Grounds for Retraction

An article may be retracted if one or more of the following circumstances are established:

• Evidence of data fabrication, falsification, or manipulation.
• Plagiarism, including substantial unattributed copying from previously published works.
• Duplicate publication or redundant publication without appropriate disclosure.
• Serious methodological or analytical errors that invalidate the study's findings or conclusions.
• Unauthorized use of copyrighted materials.
• Ethical violations involving human participants, animals, patient confidentiality, or informed consent.
• Fraudulent authorship, undisclosed conflicts of interest, or other forms of publication misconduct.
• Any other issue that significantly undermines the reliability or integrity of the published work.

Retraction Procedure

When a concern is raised regarding a published article, the Editorial Office will conduct a preliminary assessment. If the concern appears credible, the matter will be reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief and, where appropriate, members of the Editorial Board.

The journal may request explanations, supporting documentation, or clarifications from the corresponding author and, when necessary, from co-authors, institutions, or relevant stakeholders.

Retraction decisions will be based on the available evidence and the seriousness of the identified issue. The journal strives to ensure that all investigations are conducted fairly, objectively, and confidentially.

Retraction Notice

If a retraction is approved:

• A formal Retraction Notice will be published.
• The notice will clearly identify the retracted article.
• The reason for retraction will be stated transparently.
• The retraction notice will be permanently linked to the original article.
• The original article will remain accessible to preserve the scholarly record but will be clearly marked as "Retracted."

Author-Initiated Retractions

Authors who discover significant errors in their published work are encouraged to promptly notify the Editorial Office. The journal welcomes responsible correction of the scholarly record and will evaluate author-initiated requests in accordance with this policy.

Corrections and Expressions of Concern

Not all publication issues require retraction. When appropriate, the journal may publish:

• Corrections (Errata or Corrigenda) for minor errors that do not invalidate the findings.
• Expressions of Concern when an investigation is ongoing and conclusive evidence is not yet available.

Transparency and Ethical Standards

IJMSDH is committed to ethical publishing practices and takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. The journal follows internationally recognized principles of publication ethics and editorial responsibility to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the handling of retractions.

Contact

Questions regarding this Retraction Policy or concerns about published articles should be directed to the Editorial Office through the official journal contact channels provided on the journal website.