Patients’ perspectives take centre stage at EuroPerio11

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 29. April 2025

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VIENNA, Austria: At EuroPerio11, which will be held from 14 to 17 May, a dedicated session will shine a spotlight on patients’ involvement in their periodontal care. Four patients who have experienced severe periodontal disease will share how the condition has affected their lives and how treatment has supported their recovery. The session will also feature the world premières of two short films documenting their journeys through care and healing. In addition to their personal stories, the patients will speak about their treatment preferences and the increasing importance of patient engagement in periodontal care.

“Dentists and hygienists care deeply about their patients,” said Dr Ian Needleman, professor of periodontics and evidence-informed healthcare at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in the UK. “But our training can sometimes focus too narrowly on clinical aspects, such as pocket depth, rather than the bigger picture. Many people with periodontitis experience shame, guilt, embarrassment and even fear of losing teeth, which can significantly impact their confidence in social and professional settings. Treatment can be highly effective—not just in improving oral health but in alleviating these profound emotional burdens.”

The films A Journey Through Periodontitis and A Journey Through Periodontitis and Dental Implants provide personal accounts of individuals undergoing treatment, offering valuable insight into the patient experience from diagnosis to recovery. “These films highlight crucial themes,” said Prof. Needleman. “They reveal the overwhelming stigma associated with periodontitis, the difficulty of receiving a diagnosis, the struggle to access care and the invaluable role of supportive dental professionals. The fact that one of our patients chose to remain anonymous, despite an actress portraying her story, underscores how strong the social taboo still is. By breaking this silence, we hope to encourage more people to seek care and feel less isolated.”

After each screening, patients will participate in a live panel discussion to share their perspectives on living with periodontitis and dental implants. A 15-minute opportunity for questions and answers at the end of the session will give attendees a chance to interact directly with the patients and experts.

Beyond the session

“EuroPerio11 is a crucial platform for advancing patient-centred periodontics,” said Prof. Anton Sculean, who is chair of EuroPerio11 and heads the Department of Periodontology at the University of Bern in Switzerland. “By integrating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) into research and clinical practice, we can improve both treatment quality and patient well-being. This session is an important step in ensuring that periodontal care evolves in a way that truly reflects patients’ needs and expectations.”

The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has already made progress in this regard, notably through its Focused Workshop on Aesthetics and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, held in Italy in January. “We need to ensure that what matters to patients influences the future of periodontal care,” said Prof. Needleman. “Validated PROs are essential, as they help measure the real-life impact of treatment beyond traditional clinical metrics. The insights from this workshop will help shape the influential 2026 clinical guidelines.”

Prof. Needleman also pointed to efforts in the UK. “Our experience in the UK showed the power of bringing patient voices to the table, as seen when the British Society of Periodontology Patient Forum engaged with national health policymakers on a diabetes–gum health pathway. The EFP can support similar initiatives at a European level,” he added.

To truly embed patient-centred care in periodontics, policy changes are also needed, he said. Periodontitis should not be treated in isolation; it must be integrated into broader healthcare frameworks.

“The separation of dental care from general health policy is a major barrier,” said Prof. Sculean. He concluded: “We need to change how oral health is perceived and ensure it is part of the overall conversation on healthcare equity and well-being. To this end, the EFP is committed to fostering dialogue between policymakers and patients.”

The programme will also include a keynote address by Dani Mothci, CEO of the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations. She will outline strategies to strengthen patient involvement in periodontal care across Europe.

The session, titled “Patient involvement to enhance periodontal care: The patient’s view,” will take place on 15 May, 14:30–16:00. More information about the EuroPerio11 programme can be found at www.efp.org/europerio.