“The EFP is the leading organisation for oral health”

Prof. Sculean, you have held many key roles within the EFP over the years, including serving as president and now secretary-general and chair. What has this long-standing involvement meant to you, personally, and how does EuroPerio11 reflect your vision for the EFP and its future?
I have been involved in periodontics since my days as a dental student, and from the very beginning, I was deeply drawn to the research side of the field. My goal was to become both a strong researcher and clinician while also pursuing an academic career. As I progressed professionally, I increasingly felt the importance of giving something back—an aspiration that has consistently guided and motivated me throughout my journey.

Within the EFP, I began as a board member, later became president, then chaired the European Projects Committee and now serve as secretary-general and chair of EuroPerio11. I am especially passionate about education, not only for showcasing novel clinical techniques, but in delivering evidence-based protocols that other colleagues can readily implement in their daily practice. I believe that education should combine scientific rigour with practical application, presented in a format that allows practitioners to apply what they’ve learned immediately upon returning to their practices.

Without sounding pretentious, I can confidently say that the EFP is undoubtedly the most prestigious and clearly leading federation—not only in the field of periodontology and mplant dentistry, but in oral health as a whole. We are well-organised, inclusive, and diverse, with strong European roots and a truly global perspective.

As chair of the EuroPerio11 organising committee, you’ve overseen an incredibly ambitious and multifaceted programme. What makes this edition particularly special, and what are you most proud of so far?
What really struck me about this year’s EuroPerio was the attendance. I was told the exact number Saturday morning—10,021 participants—which makes it the best-attended EuroPerio ever. That alone is deeply rewarding. But what’s even more meaningful is the global reach we’ve achieved. Participants have come from more than 100 countries—including Mexico, Australia, Nepal and China— underscoring the truly global reach of the EFP and the universal relevance of periodontology.

Another point of pride is that, for the first time, nearly 45% of our speakers were women—a step forward in representing the diversity of our profession. Also, the layout of the venue has been particularly successful from a logistical perspective. Attendees passed through the exhibition hall to reach the plenary room, which created strong visibility for our industry partners. I personally visited most of our sponsors, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Usually, you receive some criticism, but in this case, it’s been only positive—and that’s rare.

“I believe that education should combine scientific rigour with practical application, presented in a format that allows practitioners to apply what they’ve learned immediately upon returning to their practices.”

The scientific scope of EuroPerio11 is impressive, covering even live surgeries, research sessions and international collaborations. How did you and your team approach designing such a diverse programme that appeals to clinicians, researchers and hygienists alike?
This was, of course, a team effort, and much credit must be given to Prof. Lior Shapira, our scientific chair, who did an outstanding job in designing the programme. Each day began with a live surgery, made possible thanks to the Sigmund Freud Private University, conveniently located next to the congress centre. Its state-of-the-art facilities enabled live broadcasts of the procedures, with a highly skilled camera team from Bern capturing every detail. The surgeons were then able to join the stage immediately afterward to discuss the cases in real time. The sessions were consistently full, and the technical quality was outstanding.

We also introduced specially designed sessions, such as collaborations with the American Academy of Periodontology and the International Academy of Periodontology. Topics have included women’s oral health, new data underlining its importance, and systemic links between oral and general health. For example, we now have strong evidence that periodontitis triples the risk of cardiovascular disease. Another example is that 70% of Alzheimer’s patients have been found to carry Porphyromonas gingivalis in their brain tissue, a key bacterial species in the development of gingivitis and periodontitis.

One particularly impactful session involved patients sharing their own experiences live on stage, a powerful reminder of the human aspect of what we do. Prof. Ian Needleman led that session, and he did a fantastic job.

Finally, our collaboration with the World Health Organization has been a major step forward, since it helps reinforce the message that oral health is central to overall health. This joint effort focuses on integrating oral health into global non-communicable disease strategies and advocating for its inclusion in universal health coverage. Education must begin in childhood, and prevention is key. The EFP is well positioned to help communicate these messages to both policymakers and the public, and EuroPerio11 reflects that mission on a global scale. To me, the EFP is the leading organisation for oral health, distinguished by its strong European foundation, global reach, and commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

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