Obituary: Professor Noel Claffey (1949-2024)

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Professor Noel Claffey on 22 August 2024. A much-appreciated founding member of the EFP Postgraduate Education Committee, Prof Claffey was known for his dedication to advancing periodontal education and his tireless contributions to the global periodontal community.

Professor Claffey's distinguished academic career spanned continents. He was Professor Emeritus at both Trinity College Dublin and Loma Linda University in California, institutions where his legacy in periodontal research and education will continue to inspire future generations. After qualifying with a BDS from University College Dublin, Prof Claffey’s passion for periodontology led him to Loma Linda University, where he became a key figure in the research group led by Jan Egelberg. Throughout the 1980s, Claffey and his colleagues made pioneering contributions to the understanding of periodontal tissue repair following surgical intervention, particularly through their work on root conditioning.

In addition to his groundbreaking research and publications in regenerative therapies, Claffey was instrumental in clinical studies investigating factors that influence periodontal treatment outcomes, significantly advancing the evidence base in the field. His return to Dublin in the 1990s, due to personal circumstances, marked the beginning of a new chapter at Trinity College, where he was promoted to the Chair of Periodontology and later became the Dean of Dental Studies at Dublin Dental School.

Claffey's contributions to periodontology were not limited to research and academic leadership. His involvement in European workshops and commitment to postgraduate education left an indelible mark on the field. Known for his lively and inquisitive lecturing style, he challenged his audiences with thought-provoking questions, constantly reminding his students and colleagues that, while we may know much, there is always more to discover.

He was a scholar, a gentleman, and an innovator. Prof Claffey’s infectious sense of humour and presence will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to know him.

BSP obituary