Analysis of Cuban scientific production and citations in Scopusindexed dental journals (2000-2024)

Background: Scientific production in dental sciences is crucial for advancing knowledge and treatments. Bibliometric analysis evaluates research impact, aiding resource allocation and policy-making. While citations and journal metrics are important, overemphasis on quantity over quality can compromise scientific integrity. Objective: To describe Cuban scientific production and citations in dentistry journals indexed in Scopus from 2000 to 2024. Methods: A bibliometric analysis of Cuban dental research in Scopus from 2000 to 2024 was conducted. Articles were categorized by topic, publication source, and citations. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and Spearman correlation to assess relationships between citations, subject areas, and publication sources. Also, the study examined trends in Cuban dental publications and their international impact. Results: A total of 670 articles by Cuban dentists met the inclusion criteria. The Revista Cubana de Estomatología was the primary publication source, with 77.0% of the articles. International journals such as the Journal of Periodontology had the highest citation rates, with an average of 278.0 citations per article, compared to 1.4 citations for the Cuban journal. Periodontology was the most cited subject area, averaging 14.4 citations, and represented 7.8% of the total. Significant correlations were found between citations and both publication sources (p < 2.2e-16) and subject areas (p = 2.205e-05). Conclusions: Cuban dental research is abundant in national journals but has room for increased international impact. Specialties, such as periodontology, show a higher potential for global recognition. The choice of journal and research area significantly influenced the impact of Cuban dental publications. Strategic publication choices and international collaborations are recommended to enhance visibility and citation impact.