Vienna, 13 March 2025 – EuroPerio11, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry, will shine a spotlight on patient experiences in a symposium featuring the voices of people living with periodontitis and dental implants. The session,
Patient Involvement to Enhance Periodontal Care: The Patient’s View, will take place on Thursday 15 May at 14:30, including the participation of patients who experienced severe gum disease. The session will also include the world premieres of two powerful EFP-supported films documenting patient journeys through treatment and recovery.
A story waiting to be told: the human impact of periodontitis
This
EuroPerio11 session is about real people whose lives have been transformed by periodontal treatment. Periodontitis is more than a dental issue; it affects confidence, social life, careers, and mental health. Many patients suffer in silence due to the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding gum disease. Four patients will be on the podium to explain how gum disease affects their lives and how treatment has helped them. They will also discuss their treatment preferences and the growing importance of patient engagement in the health journey.
Periodontitis affects nearly 50% of adults worldwide, with severe forms impacting 11% of the global population. Direct treatment costs amount to US$357 billion yearly, which represents 4.9% of global health expenditure. Productivity losses due to caries, severe periodontitis, and severe tooth loss amount to an estimated $188 billion annually.
1
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), periodontitis is one of the most widespread non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and a major cause of tooth loss.
2 Beyond oral health, periodontitis negatively affects life quality and is closely linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other serious systemic conditions, making it a critical public health concern.
3
“Dentists and hygienists care deeply about their patients,” says Professor Ian Needleman. “But our training can sometimes focus too narrowly on clinical aspects such as gum 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 will offer intimate, unfiltered perspectives. “These films highlight crucial themes,” Needleman explains. “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 the actress telling 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 film screening, patients from the working group will participate in a live panel discussion, sharing insights into what it’s like to live with periodontitis and dental implants. The session will conclude with a 15-minute audience Q&A, allowing attendees to engage directly with patients and experts.
The session will also feature a keynote by Dani Mothci, CEO of the
International Alliance of Patients’Organizations (IAPO), discussing how to increase patient engagement in periodontal care across Europe.
“The EFP is demonstrating real leadership in patient engagement,” says Needleman. “Since
The sound of periodontitis session at
EuroPerio8 in London in 2015, we have been committed to placing the patient voice at the heart of periodontal care. The determination of the EFP to feature patient perspectives at
EuroPerio11, thanks to the vision of Professor Lior Shapira, reinforces this commitment.”
Beyond the session: the future of patient-centred periodontology
“
EuroPerio11 is a crucial platform for advancing patient-centred periodontology,” says Professor Anton Sculean, chair of the congress. “By integrating patient-reported outcomes(PRO) into research and clinical practice, we can improve treatment 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 session is just the beginning. Integrating patient perspectives into periodontal research, education, and clinical guidelines is an ongoing process. The EFP has already taken significant steps forward, including the
European Workshop on Aesthetics and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry held in January this year.
“We need to ensure that what matters to patients influences the future of periodontal care,” says 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 shape the influential 2026 clinical guidelines.”
“Our experience in the UK showed the power of bringing patient voices to the table when the British Society of Periodontology (BSP) Patient Forum engaged with national health policy makers on a diabetes-gum health pathway. The EFP can help develop similar initiatives at a European level,” explained Needleman.
Policy changes are also needed. Periodontitis should not be addressed in isolation, it must be integrated into general health care policy. “The separation of dental care from broader health policy is a major barrier,” says Sculean. He concludes: “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.”