New EFP president Dr Spyros Vassilopoulos

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 12. June 2025

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EuroPerio11 was a milestone event for the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and for the scientific organisation’s new president. Since being appointed to the role of president in April, Dr Spyros Vassilopoulos has outlined an ambitious vision to advance the association’s strategic goals. Speaking with Dental Tribune International at the congress, Dr Vassilopoulos explained that his top priorities for this year include strengthening relationships with European health policymakers and bringing fresh ideas into the organisation through an enhanced focus on collaboration and youth leadership.

Dr Vassilopoulos, congratulations on your appointment as EFP president. Could you tell us about your professional background and how your journey in periodontics has prepared you for the new role?
I am an assistant professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where I coordinate the postgraduate programme in periodontics and implant dentistry, which is EFP-accredited. This is a source of great pride for us, as the EFP continually raises the bar for accreditation, ensuring that our programmes continue to be globally recognised and respected.

I have been involved with the EFP for nearly 15 years. I began as an ambassador for the Hellenic Society of Periodontology at EuroPerio8 in London in the UK. Afterwards, I was elected as an EFP junior officer and joined the organising committee of EuroPerio9 in Amsterdam, where I chaired the Ambassadors committee. I also joined as a member of the organising committee at EuroPerio10 in Copenhagen in Denmark. In 2022, I was elected as a member of the EFP’s core executive committee.

The EFP’s ladder structure is clear: once elected, candidates serve on the core executive committee for three years before becoming president. After that, they spend another year as past president, making it a five-year commitment. Although I have been part of the executive committee for three years and know its inner workings, the sheer scale of the EFP means that you’re never truly prepared.

What are your top priorities for the year ahead, and what will it take to achieve them?
Our strategic plan outlines numerous key goals in accordance with our Vision 2030 strategic road map. This year, one of the top priorities is to strengthen our relationships with European health policymakers. We aim to increase our influence through strategic advocacy, ensuring that oral health is consistently integrated into health planning and European funding initiatives.

Looking back, a significant milestone occurred in 2021 when the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) global resolution meeting on oral health recognised oral disease as part of the broader category of non-communicable disease. The decision linked oral disease with systemic health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer. This decision marked the end to the categorical isolation of oral health and signified a major step forward.

“This year, one of the top priorities is to strengthen our relationships with European health policymakers.”

More recently, in 2024, WHO hosted its first global meeting focused solely on oral health. That same year, many countries signed the Bangkok Declaration, affirming the principle that there is no health without oral health. This is a pivotal statement, particularly given WHO’s goal of including oral health expenses in universal primary health coverage.

These developments remind us that collaboration is crucial. They also underscore the importance of our partnerships with associations and organisations, such as our ongoing projects investigating links between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. These collaborations provide visibility for, and robust evidence supporting, the connection between oral and systemic health.

Additionally, we continue to advocate for the full recognition of periodontology as a medical specialty. There are still European countries where this recognition is lacking.

Finally, youth leadership is a priority. I am committed to finding ways to engage young dental professionals in the future of the EFP, bringing new ideas, energy and enthusiasm to our organisation.

EuroPerio11 is already in full swing here in Vienna. How do you see this congress reflecting the EFP’s strategic priorities under your leadership?
Last September, we met to outline our strategic plan for 2026–2030, which focuses on scientific excellence. We are launching several new initiatives while reinforcing existing ones. As always, this year’s EuroPerio serves as a platform for scientific evidence and clinical excellence, as well as for showcasing innovations, new technologies and products. The congress offers participants the opportunity to engage in discussions with experts, weigh the pros and cons of various approaches, and make informed decisions. Evidence-based guidelines are the future of periodontics, and that is what we aim to provide to participants.

In your view, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing the federation today, and how do you see these evolving in the years to come?
Challenges often present opportunities, and currently, one of our greatest opportunities is growth. With 29 full member societies and 15 associate and international associate members, we are expanding our influence and global reach. However, managing such a large network can also present challenges in communication and ensuring that our message is effectively shared across all members.

Coincidentally, this year, in addition to being president, I’m also chair of the EFP Communications Committee. This involves a significant amount of work, but fortunately, we have great support. It is crucial to align our goals with the ways in which we engage our audience, whether it be through the press, social media or our website. As the use of social media continues to grow, we need to expand our presence in that area and make our website more user-friendly to better engage with our community.

At the EFP meeting yesterday, you emphasised the importance of education not only for practitioners but also for patients. Could you elaborate on this and share your thoughts with our readers?
Although patient education is crucial, it can be challenging to implement effectively. We need to explore new ways to reach the public. The EFP excels in science and education, particularly in promoting guidelines and engaging with dental professionals. However, we must expand our efforts to directly connect with the public, raising awareness so they can seek better care and make better informed health choices.

Topics:

Periodontology

Tags:

Clinical education Dental events Eurioperio European Federation of Periodontology Periodontology

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