Brussels, XX November 2024. The consensus report of the second European workshop on education in periodontology has just been published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (JCP), the official scientific publication of the EFP (European Federation of Periodontology).
This scientific paper summarises the conclusions of the EFP-organised Perio Workshop 2023 in collaboration with the oral health company Dentaid. The meeting brought together 70 leading international experts from 22 countries last year, to discuss and establish a new consensus on teaching and learning approaches in undergraduate, specialist training, and continuing education in periodontology.
Progress made in the discipline in recent years, including a new classification and the publication of clinical practice guidelines, the declaration of the World Health Organization on oral health, and the advances in educational methods and technologies (such as the development of new tools due to the Covid-19 pandemic) provided the impetus to update the previous 2009 workshop on periodontal education.
“We believe the consensus report will shape the contents, learning outcomes, and methods of learning and of evaluation adopted by universities in Europe and also globally,” says David Herrera, chair of Perio Workshop 2023 and first author of the publication. “It will have a significant impact on how periodontology and dental implant treatments are taught at different levels: undergraduate, continuing education including vocational education and training (VET), and training at the specialist level. The latter is especially important for the EFP-accredited postgraduate programmes in periodontology and implant dentistry, offered by universities across Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region,” adds Prof Herrera.
Perio Workshop 2023 was sponsored by Dentaid. The company collaborates with dentists, hygienists, pharmacists, and general health professionals to promote the oral health ecosystem that allows for advances in oral health research, professional training and provides the best solutions for each individual. Joan Gispert, I+D manager at Dentaid, declares: “We are proud to have contributed to the advancement of the training of periodontists through our collaboration in this workshop. This partnership is fully aligned with one of our corporate pillars, which is the generation of scientific knowledge and the training of professionals. We will continue down this path to improve the oral health ecosystem for the benefit of patients.”
The meeting drew experts not only from the EFP but also from the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE). Participants were organised into four working groups, focusing on various aspects of periodontal education. Each group reviewed learning outcomes, competences, and methods of learning, training and evaluation for each level of education, including consideration of face-to-face, virtual, and blended learning methods.
In undergraduate education, a revised set of learning outcomes is presented, following the new framework proposed by the ADEE, and the need to move from traditional competences to learning outcomes. In specialist training, learning outcomes/competences were also updated using the experience of EFP-accredited programmes, as well as the feedback from surveys for graduates and programme directors. In addition, methods of teaching and evaluation, and the need for quality assurance are discussed in the consensus.
In the ever-evolving landscape of dental education, the importance of continuing professional development for dental professionals cannot be overstated, as upskilling and reskilling the dental workforce becomes indispensable. To maintain, update, and broaden professional knowledge and skills, innovative educational pathways in periodontology and implant dentistry are explored in the publication.
Moritz Kebschull, EFP president and co-author of the publication, highlights the importance of the Bruges-Copenhagen Process, the development of European co-operation to boost vocational training as an important section of the report: “The consensus puts a strong emphasis on VET, as an example of well-structured continuing education, and as a third pillar between undergraduate and specialist postgraduate education. It is a requirement for every oral health professional to maintain, update and broaden their professional standards through VET programmes, or other well-structured continuing education programmes, to improve patient care,” explains Prof Kebschull.
For educational methods, modern educational theory emphasises a circular relationship between teaching and learning, with the quality of teaching determining the ability to learn. In the digital era, particularly for Generation Z students, the sheer volume of available information has led to a shift towards 'soundbite' learning. This calls for innovation and modernisation of traditional didactic methods.
The consensus discusses blended learning - a concept that optimally combines traditional face-to-face and virtual learning methods. This approach addresses the unique challenges of oral healthcare education, which requires not only the development of critical thinking skills and basic knowledge application, but also the acquisition of clinical, social, professional, and practical skills.
The consensus publication indicates that while face-to-face teaching will continue to be highly valued, it can be enhanced by using student-centred methods and well-balanced blended approaches. The key lies in finding the right balance between tradition and innovation.
About Dentaid
We are a company with a clear purpose: to promote and improve people's oral health throughout their lives through research, dissemination of knowledge and the development of innovative products. The Dentaid Research Center is where we generate knowledge, share it with professionals and the society and apply it to scientifically substantiated oral healthcare solutions. With brands like Vitis®, Interprox®, Perio·Aid® and PHB® we reach more than 35 million people in more than 60 different countries.
EFP, promoting gum health for everybody
The EFP (European Federation of Periodontology, efp.org is a global non-profit organisation with a European core, which promotes periodontal science and practice, and awareness of gum health and gum disease among oral health professionals, other medical professionals, policymakers, and the public. The EFP’s vision is “Periodontal health for a better life”.
Founded in 1991, the EFP brings together 43 national scientific periodontal societies, representing more than 18,000 oral health professionals and researchers in six continents. It leads the global conversation on periodontal science and guidelines, and pursues its mission by organising evidence-based scientific events and campaigns, including: EuroPerio, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry; Perio Master Clinic, a theme-based conference on hands-on periodontal practice; Perio Workshop, a high-level meeting shedding light on emerging issues; and Gum Health Day, a global awareness initiative celebrated on 12 May.
Furthermore, the EFP defines and promotes high-quality training in periodontology and implant dentistry on all three levels of professional education, from undergraduate training, postgraduate vocational education and training to its 24 accredited university programmes for specialist training.
The EFP works towards the pan-European recognition of periodontology as a dental speciality and is supported by industry partners, but has no commercial or professional agenda.