The European Federation of Periodontology and European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry have published a consensus report on periodontal disease in children and adolescents. The report, published online on 15 April 2026 in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, addresses gaps in how periodontal disease is diagnosed and managed in younger patients, noting that existing frameworks were designed primarily for adults.

Why age-specific guidance matters for pediatric patients

Periodontal disease in children and adolescents presents clinical challenges not encountered in adult patients. Growth, eruption, exfoliation and mixed dentition make probing and interpretation of attachment loss more difficult. Systemic and developmental factors may alter periodontal risk in ways that differ from adult disease. The 2018 classification of periodontal diseases and existing clinical practice guidelines do not account for these differences, making it unsuitable to extrapolate adult management protocols to younger age groups.

Key recommendations for screening and diagnosis

The consensus report was developed at a workshop in Madrid in March 2025, where 30 experts reviewed evidence from three commissioned systematic reviews. The report covers three clinically relevant groups: gingival and periodontal diseases in children and adolescents with systemic diseases and conditions, gingival diseases in systemically healthy children and adolescents, and periodontal diseases in systemically healthy children and adolescents. The report emphasizes closer monitoring of periodontal health in younger patients, particularly given the high prevalence of gingivitis, the potential severity of necrotizing periodontal diseases and established links with systemic conditions. The consensus provides age-specific guidance for screening, diagnosis and management that accounts for developmental differences in periodontal tissue.