Outcomes of abstracts presented at IADR general meetings in 2014 and 2015

Introduction Abstract presentations at scientific meetings provide a platform to share and discuss new research. It would be desirable if the abstracts were subsequently published in peer-reviewed journals as this is the most accepted method to allow the dissemination of scientific research.Aims To determine the publication rate of abstracts presented at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) general sessions in 2014 and 2015, and factors involved from presentation to publication.Design A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed of the abstracts identified. Abstract titles, author's last name and key words were used to identify whether an abstract resulted in a publication. Abstracts published in full-length articles were then analysed.Results There were a total number of 5,847 abstracts presented at 2014 and 2015 IADR general sessions. 60.9% of posters presented and 72.1% of oral presentations were consecutively published as a full-length article. The average publication rate of abstracts was 63.3%. USA had the highest number of published abstracts with a publication rate of 64.9%, followed by Brazil and Japan which had 62.3% and 67.9%, respectively. The mean time from presentation to publication was 13 months.Conclusion There is scope for further guidance to ensure scientific work is properly disseminated and published.