First European consensus workshop in periodontal education – objectives and overall recommendation

Abstract

The first European Workshop in Periodontal Education was held by the European Federation of Periodontology in collaboration with representatives of the Association of Dental Education in Europe (ADEE), in Segovia Spain between the 18th and 21st November 2009. It was generously supported by an educational grant from DENTAID SL (Spain). Over 60 experts broadly representing the European Universities addressed a mission, which focused upon the production of a consensus approach towards the teaching and learning of Periodontology in university undergraduate and post graduate curricula, and within the context of life-long learning. The specific objectives of the workshop were to: review the current trends in the epidemiology of periodontal diseases and periodontal treatment needs in Europe, the current status of the provision of periodontal services and human manpower; make recommendations regarding the scope and limits of periodontal education at the undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education levels; define the competencies, learning outcomes, teaching and evaluation systems appropriate for undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing education in Periodontology. The following documents, therefore represent the consensus reports of the four working groups. Groups 1 and 4 based their consensus statements and conclusions upon the position paper which follows their report and which was peer reviewed, modified and accepted by the workshop. Groups 2 and 3 produced manuscripts which are the consensus reports of those groups and which were accepted by the workshop. The workshop arrived at an overall recommendation for appropriate interest groups (ADEE, Council of European Chief Dental Officers, Council of European Dental Deans and the Universities they represent), which is recorded below. Given the continued high prevalence of periodontitis within the population and the fact that it remains a major cause of tooth loss in adults, and its association with other chronic inflammatory diseases, core elements of periodontal management should be incorporated into compulsory CPD for dental practitioners. Correspondence Mariano SanzDean Faculty of Odontology University Complutense of MadridPlaza Ramon y Cajal 28040 Madrid (Spain)e-mail: marianosanz@odon.ucm.esTel: +34913941901 Iain ChappleProfessor of PeriodontologyBirmingham Dental SchoolCollege of Medical & Dental SciencesSt Chads QueenswayBirmingham B4 6NN (UK)e-mail: i.l.c.chapple@bham.ac.ukTel: +44 121 2372808Fax: +44 121 2372809