The phrase “Open Science” refers to a series of actions and practices that aim to make scientific processes more transparent, accessible, and understandable at all stages of research [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. In response to issues discussed within the scientific community, such as a lack of access, scarcity of information contained in articles, and suspicion of misconduct in many scientific studies, the Open Science movement is a new way to conduct science using collaborative, transparent, and sustainable strategies [8]. These practices allow for data sharing, unrestricted access to knowledge, transparency of information, and the identification of research with questionable practices [9]. In general, these efforts aim to advance science and promote good research practices by providing greater credibility to research [10]. Among the practices available to implement this approach, preprints, data sharing, study protocol registration, open access, and the use of reporting guidelines can be highlighted.

Furthermore, by adopting these practices, researchers ensure the transparency of the research process and facilitate the use of the information presented in the article, allowing it to be more easily utilized in knowledge synthesis studies (e.g., systematic reviews) [8], [9], [10]. This is particularly crucial because the lack of clarity in information, and consequently poor reporting as highlighted in several publications in dentistry [11], [12], [13], [14], often acts as a barrier to such endeavors.

However, despite available open science practices, barriers to adopting them remain for those involved in the research process [6,10]. The endorsement of open science practices by journals is meant to increase transparency, improve the quality and integrity of study information, and establish requirements and standards that must be adhered to by researchers during article submission. These rules aim to strengthen methodological quality and prevent the production of inappropriate studies [15]. In line with this, the literature has shown that journals endorsing open science practices is one of the most important initiatives that ensure researchers' use of these tools [16,17]. However, journal endorsement of these practices must include providing understandable information in the “Instructions for Authors” section to facilitate their interpretation and familiarize authors with how to use these tools when carrying out research [18].

A better understanding of dental journals’ endorsement of open science practices is needed. Currently, most studies have only explored reporting guidelines endorsements by journals [1,18], and none have investigated the endorsement of other open science practices by dentistry journals. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate dental journals' endorsement of different open science practices.