EFP Postgraduate Symposium 2024: Convening future periodontal leaders

The EFP Postgraduate Symposium 2024, took place from 5 to 8 September in Ermelo, The Netherlands. It was an enriching experience for both young professionals and educators in periodontology. With 185 participants, including 42 professors, 63 second-year students and 70 third-year students (as well as members of the EFP alumni and education committees), the event highlights the EFP’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of dental specialists.

Representing 16 countries from across the globe—from Australia to Turkey, with a strong European presence—the symposium provided a unique platform for students to engage in a rich exchange of knowledge and ideas. Each postgraduate programme showcased its academic excellence by presenting a clinical case, offering students an opportunity to display their skills and learn from their peers.

Nikos Donos, chair of the EFP education committee, emphasised the significance of the event: “The EFP Postgraduate Symposium is an essential part of our educational mission. It offers a unique environment where students and educators come together to share insights, discuss new research, and build professional networks that will support them throughout their careers. This symposium is not just about learning; it’s about shaping the future of our field.”

This initiative underscores the EFP’s commitment to education by covering all costs for students, who registered through their postgraduate programmes.

In addition to academic presentations, the symposium also featured the announcement of the EFP Digital Innovation Awards. This highlight of the event recognised outstanding contributions to digital innovation in periodontology, further underscoring the EFP’s focus on fostering a forward-looking approach to education and practice.

The EFP Postgraduate Symposium was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of MIS and Philips. Monique Danser, EFP treasurer, expressed gratitude towards these partners: “We are deeply grateful to MIS and Philips for their continued support. Their commitment to advancing dental education and innovation aligns perfectly with EFP goals and allows us to offer dental students an unforgettable experience, combining education with exposure to cutting-edge industry developments.” Participants also had the opportunity to visit the Philips headquarters, where they gained insights into the latest technological advancements in the dental field.

Digital innovation awards