The Young Dentist prefers named, on-the-record sources.
Unnamed or confidential sourcing is an exception rather than a routine reporting method.
Why Named Sources Are Preferred
Named sourcing provides greater accountability, clearer professional context, information about expertise and conflicts, and a better basis for readers to judge credibility.
When Anonymity May Be Considered
- the source's identity is known to the relevant editor;
- the source has credible and preferably direct access to the information;
- the information has meaningful editorial or public-interest value;
- identification could create a legitimate professional, employment, legal or safety risk;
- the information cannot reasonably be obtained from an attributable source;
- there is a credible basis for believing the information is accurate;
- the value of publication outweighs the disadvantage of withholding identity from readers.
When Anonymity Will Not Normally Be Used
- personal attacks;
- unsupported allegations;
- rumour used mainly for speculation;
- claims intended primarily to damage reputation;
- promotional claims;
- unsupported competitor claims;
- claims that could reasonably be made on the record;
- claims that cannot be meaningfully checked;
- clinical effectiveness claims without appropriate evidence.
Editorial Decision Process
- confirm the source's identity;
- understand how the source knows the information;
- understand the reason for anonymity;
- consider motives and conflicts;
- seek corroboration;
- decide whether anonymity is justified.
Corroboration and Source Description
Potential corroborating evidence may include documents, official records, public datasets, research, additional independent sources, on-the-record statements, company or institutional responses and regulatory information.
Where practical, an article should provide enough context for readers to understand why an unnamed source may be credible without revealing identifying details.
No Fabricated Anonymous Sources
The Young Dentist does not permit fabricated or synthetic sources. AI must never generate a fictional source and present that source as a real person.
Corrections and Related Policies
Readers who believe an article relies improperly on an unnamed source or contains an unsupported factual claim may contact corrections@theyoungdentist.com.
See the Fact-Checking Policy, Ethics Policy, Editorial Policy and Corrections Policy.