The reporting of dental studies involving animal models requires improvement

Poor reporting of animal model studies undermines their value and contributes to research waste. In this study, reporting adherence of dental animal studies in relation to the ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines was assessed. A Medline via PubMed search to identify studies published between 1st January 2018 and 31st December 2025 was performed. Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions for the responses to each item and mean values for adequate reporting per ARRIVE item were calculated. A sum score was determined by adding the responses per item and sub-questions. Linear regression between overall score and study characteristics was performed. A total of 896 studies were assessed. The mean overall reporting score was 46.7 (SD 7.7). The reporting of items pertaining to sample size, eligibility, randomisation, blinding, outcome measures, statistical methods, experimental procedures, results, animal care and monitoring and protocol registration was sub-optimal. Publication year and the introduction of the updated guidelines were associated with an improvement of the overall summary score. The involvement of a statistician and reporting in relation to ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines were associated with higher reporting scores. To reduce research waste and improve research transparency, a collaborated effect is required from journal editors and researchers to improve the reporting of studies involving animal models.