EFP launches three-year Gum Health Day campaign on prevention
EFP's expanded campaign framework and SEPA's peri-implant prevention consensus offer actionable guidance for clinical practice.
Gum Health Day 2026 expands beyond a single day
The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has launched a three-year global awareness campaign centred on Gum Health Day, observed annually on 12 May. The campaign theme is 'empowering lives', and aims to increase public knowledge of the connections between gingival health, well-being and quality of life. Unlike previous years, the campaign will run throughout the year, with content disseminated in connection with relevant health awareness dates and events. Free preventive screenings, piloted during EuroPerio11 in Austria, will become a standard feature of EFP events. The first screenings under this expanded model took place in March at the Perio Master Clinic 2026 in Azerbaijan.
Preventing peri-implant disease through planning and design
The Spanish Society of Periodontology and Osseointegration (SEPA) has published a consensus document titled 'Influence of surgical and prosthetic factors on peri-implant health or disease' in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. The document provides clinical recommendations from periodontists, prosthodontists and dental technicians on how to reduce peri-implant complications through careful treatment planning and prosthetic design. Recommendations cover three areas: surgical factors including 3D implant positioning and timing; transmucosal components such as abutment height and material; and final prosthesis design including retention type, emergence profile and access for hygiene. The consensus frames peri-implant disease prevention as a process beginning at the treatment planning stage.
Roles for clinicians and the wider oral health community
Dr Spyros Vassilopoulos, chair of the EFP Communication and Engagement Committee, emphasised that dental professionals, hygienists, educators and students can all participate in Gum Health Day in ways suited to their practice setting. Clinicians can use EFP materials in clinics and universities, share evidence-based prevention messages with patients and support initiatives from national societies. The three-year campaign structure addresses different aspects each year: 2026 focuses on prevention and early detection of periodontal disease; the second year will address self-care; and the third will explore the link between oral health and overall well-being.
Frequently asked questions
What is the theme of the EFP Gum Health Day 2026 campaign?
The theme is 'empowering lives'. The campaign runs for three years and extends beyond a single day, with content disseminated throughout the year in connection with relevant health awareness dates and events.
When is Gum Health Day observed each year?
Gum Health Day is observed annually on 12 May. It is coordinated by the European Federation of Periodontology to raise awareness of gingival health and its connection to overall well-being.
What are the three areas of SEPA's peri-implant disease prevention consensus?
SEPA's consensus addresses surgical factors (3D positioning, tissue requirements, guided surgery, timing), transmucosal components (abutments, height, shape, material), and final prosthesis design (retention, emergence profile, hygiene access, materials, and fit accuracy).
How can dental professionals participate in Gum Health Day?
Clinicians can use EFP materials in their clinics and universities, share evidence-based prevention messages with patients, and support initiatives led by their national dental societies. Dental hygienists, educators and students also have defined roles as trusted ambassadors for gum health.
What will the three years of the EFP campaign focus on?
Year one (2026) focuses on prevention and early detection of periodontal disease. Year two will address self-care, and year three will explore the link between oral health and overall well-being.
