The CRANIO Journal, which is dedicated to temporomandibular disorders (TMJ) and the treatment of related pain and dysfunction, was founded in 1982 by Riley Lunn, DDS, who has also served as editor-in-chief from its founding.
The Editorial Board of the CRANIO Journal received the following letter from Lunn on January 19.
“After 39 years as Editor in Chief of CRANIO, the time has come for me to step down. I have been allowed to hand-pick my replacement, and I am pleased to announce my successor, who has the support of our current publisher, Taylor & Francis. Dr. Ira Shapira, of Gurnee, IL, USA, is currently a CRANIO Editor, having worked with our Journal for the past four years. He is highly regarded on the Journal staff and has been a constant source of information and Journal knowledge. Additionally, his knowledge in the fields of TMD and dental sleep medicine is superb. His participation in CE courses and contributions to manuscripts and other notable contributions is unmatched. His desire to follow me as Editor in Chief is welcome. We have had numerous discussions about his role as “new” Editor in Chief, and, while expanding CRANIO‘s horizon, he still seems willing to hold the course that has made CRANIO the flagship publication in TMJ and sleep medicine for the past 40 years.
“CRANIO continues to generate interest, demonstrated by the number of full-text article downloads increasing in the 3rd quarter by over 4,000 in the past year (11,674 in 2020 and 15,702 in 2021). Our 2020 Impact Factor increased to 2.020 (from 2019’s score of 1.173), and our 5-year Impact Factor increased from 1.000 in 2019 to 1.882 in 2020. I am confident that with Ira’s leadership, this upward trajectory will continue.
Donna Knauss, my wonderful “right hand” at the Journal for the past 12 ½ years, will retain her role as Managing Editor, working with Ira, allowing a smooth transition for CRANIO’s future.
I want to thank you for your part in helping to make CRANIO the “go to” resource for craniomandibular and sleep practice. We couldn’t maintain our high standards without your help.
Sincerely,
Riley H. Lunn, DDS
Founder and Editor in Chief 1982-2021”
Shapira, DDS, DABDSM, DAAIPM, FICCMO, MICCMO, has had numerous articles published in CRANIO over the years. He was originally appointed to the Editorial Board in 2018 as a reviewer and as Craniofacial Pain Editor in 2019.
When CRANIO changed its name from the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice to the Journal of Craniomandibular & Sleep Practice in 2013, Lunn called on Shapira to write the guest editorial in that issue: “TMJ Alias, The Great Imposter, Has a Co-Conspirator: Poor Sleep.”
Shapira was appointed as a visiting assistant professor at Rush Medical School’s Sleep Disorder Center under Rosalind Cartwright, PhD, in 1985 and held that position until 1991. He returned to Rush at the request of Cartwright from 1998 to 1991.
Shapira was one of 20 original founding / charter members in 1991 of The Sleep Disorders Dental Society (SDDS), which later became the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM). The AADSM formed the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and Shapira was one of the first dentists to become a Diplomate of that board. He is also a Diplomate of The American Board of Sleep and Breathing.
Shapira has over four decades helping patients with severe orofacial pain, sleep disorders, migraines, and TMJ pain to improve their quality of life. He has lectured both nationally and internationally on the treatment of sleep disorders and TMJ disorders and their common developmental pathways. Shapira is a long-term dental editor of Sleep and Health Journal.
