Copenhagen, 18 June 2022. The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has announced the recipients of the first ever EFP Innovation Award for Digital Solutions for Gum Health supported by GSK. The award will be conferred every year to three projects on digital innovations aimed at the public, dentists and researchers that will contribute to gum health worldwide.

The prizes were presented at EuroPerio10, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry organised by the EFP.

The “Dental Coach App” by Dr Lodewijk Gründemann and Dr Melle Vroom from Goutum, the Netherlands scooped this year’s first prize of €10,000.

“Dental Tracker™, a mobile application for the patient, dentist and periodontal researchers” by Dr Boey Sean Kuan, Perio.Co, Singapore, received the second prize of €6,000.

The third prize of €4,000 went to “AI-PERIO: integration of gum health perception and periodontitis prevention on an artificially intelligence-based mobile application for tackling low-grade chronic systemic inflammation” by Dr Giacomo Baima and Dr Mario Aimetti from the Postgraduate Programme, University of Turin, Italy in collaboration with the Anti-Inflammaging Company.

Projects were selected by a judging panel including chairs of several EFP committees and a member of the core executive committee. The four criteria used to evaluate each application were the need, the market, the presentation of the idea, and the business plan.

To be eligible, digital innovations had to be aimed at the public, dentists, and/or researchers:

• For the public: digital technology such as applications or devices that improve periodontal health and prevent gum inflammation.
• For the dentist: digital technology that helps dentists diagnose or improve the gum health of their patients.
• For periodontal researchers: new digital methods that enhance the quality of studies about gum health.

Professor Andreas Stavropoulos, EFP president, said: “Periodontitis, also called gum disease, is the most common chronic inflammatory non-communicable condition worldwide and if not adequately treated it often leads to tooth loss. Periodontitis is however largely preventable with good oral hygiene and regular maintenance visits to the dental team. Digital technologies have an increasing role to play in prevention and treatment and this EFP award with the support of GSK aims to support innovations in this area.”

Dr Stephen Mason, Global Medical Lead: Oral Health, GSK Consumer Healthcare said “We have a compelling opportunity to make a meaningful difference to eradicate preventable oral health problems for millions of people across the world. In order to do this, we must recognise that people don’t just go online, many now ‘live’ online. That’s why GSK Consumer Healthcare are proud to be sponsors of the new EFP Innovation Award for Digital Solutions for Gum Health. Digital solutions are not only a key enabler to improve periodontal health but are also a gateway to better everyday health. We are committed to the EFP and we will never stop in our pursuit to find new and disruptive ways to contribute to the improvement in gum health worldwide.”

EFP, global benchmark in periodontology

The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP, ww.efp.org) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting awareness of periodontal science and the importance of gum health. Its guiding vision is “periodontal health for a better life.”

Founded in 1991, the EFP is a federation of 37 national periodontal member societies that represents more than 16,000 periodontists, dentists, researchers, and oral-health professionals from Europe and around the world. It supports evidence-based science in periodontal and oral health, and it promotes events and campaigns aimed at both professionals and the public.

The EFP organises EuroPerio, the world’s leading congress in periodontology and implant dentistry, as well as other important professional and expert events such as Perio Master Clinic and Perio Workshop. The annual Gum Health Day on May 12, organised by the EFP and its member societies, brings key messages on gum health to millions of people across the world.

The EFP also organises workshops and outreach campaigns with its partners: projects to date have covered the relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and caries, as well as women’s oral health during pregnancy.

The EFP’s Journal of Clinical Periodontology is the most authoritative scientific publication in this field. The federation also publishes JCP Digest, a monthly digest of research, and the Perio Insight magazine, which features experts' views and debates.

The EFP’s work in education is also highly significant, notably its accreditation programme for postgraduate education in periodontology and implant dentistry.

The EFP has no professional or commercial agenda.

Source: EFP press team at press@efp.org