Thomas Kocher receives the EFP Distinguished Scientist Award

The EFP Distinguished Scientist Award was presented this year to Senior Professor Thomas Kocher during the EFP general assembly (GA) that took place in Birmingham, UK, on 29 March 2025.This award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the understanding of the field of periodontology and the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases.

Prof Kocher is Senior Professor at the Department of Restorative Dentistry, Periodontology and Endodontics at the Dental School of Greifswald, in Germany. He has lectured in various international events, has over 400 publications in prestigious dental and medical journals, and has developed dental instruments and devices together with industry.

Kocher is an active EFP member: he co-authored EFP consensus documents and guidelines, and was part of the working group that drafted the classification of periodontal diseases.

“I am very honoured to receive this prestigious award from the EFP, but the honour goes not only to me, it goes also to the team with whom I have been working on the Pomeranian Health Study for more than 30 years,” said Prof Kocher. “The reunification of Germany opened the door to begin this study and gave me the opportunity to add dental aspects to the project. The Pomeranian Health Study is one of the longest epidemiological studies in Europe, covering a wide range of social, medical and dental aspects. I wish my successors the best of luck in continuing the study and hope that they will be able to add further important knowledge to achieve oral health,” Kocher concluded.

More about the award