Prof. Mia Rakić sets collaborative, evidence-driven agenda for EFP presidency

Introduction

In an interview with Dental Tribune International published 8 May 2026, Prof. Mia Rakić outlined her priorities as the newly appointed president of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP). Rakić brings an academic and clinical portfolio in periodontics, oral medicine and oral histology: she is professor of histology at the University of Bern and head of the Robert K. Schenk Laboratory for Oral Histology, with recognised expertise in the personalised management of bone pathologies.

What was discussed

Rakić described her presidential agenda as one focused on strengthening links between research, clinical practice and public health across the EFP’s membership. She noted her long involvement with the federation, including prior responsibility for Gum Health Day, and highlighted her status as the youngest president in the organisation’s history. She said this experience informed plans to increase engagement of early‑career professionals and to broaden interdisciplinary collaboration with medical specialties.

Key priorities and planned actions

• Strengthen collaboration between the EFP and its 47 national scientific periodontics societies by creating a European scientific network to connect researchers, national societies and EFP committees for faster knowledge exchange and priority translation.
• Build a stronger evidence base for periodontal health policy through development of coordinated European frameworks for epidemiological and surveillance studies to produce comparable data across countries.
• Translate research into practice by continuing development of high‑quality clinical guidelines, practical tools, and expanded educational and certification programmes so clinicians can integrate new evidence into routine care.
• Advocate for recognition of periodontal health in public health policy at national, European and global levels, using the EFP’s role as a founding member of the Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe to engage bodies such as the European Commission and the World Health Organization.
• Engage younger dental professionals more directly, including involving them in cross‑disciplinary collaborations with cardiology, neurology, endocrinology and gastroenterology, and in EFP activities such as workshops and congresses.
• Support key EFP events and outreach: Rakić will work with the EuroPerio12 organising committee for the 2028 congress and support the International Perio Master Clinic to be held in Brazil from 30 April to 1 May 2027, described as the EFP’s first event in South America and its second in Latin America.

As Rakić summarised one of the central challenges: “Translating research into policy and everyday clinical practice requires a structured and coordinated approach across science, education and advocacy.”

Relevance for clinical practice

For clinicians, the EFP’s stated emphasis on coordinated research, harmonised surveillance and applied guidelines signals upcoming resources intended to make new evidence more accessible in routine care. The federation’s push to position periodontal health within broader public‑health agendas may also increase opportunities for interdisciplinary referral pathways and for participation in national surveillance initiatives once frameworks are implemented.

Context and caveats

Many of the initiatives Rakić described form part of the EFP’s 2026–2030 strategic plan and will require coordinated action across member societies to produce implementable outputs. She also mentioned an undeclared initiative aimed at young periodontists but provided no details. Finally, Rakić reiterated a broader professional value: periodontics as a specialty focused on preserving natural dentition, which she characterised as a sustainable approach within dentistry.

SOURCE

https://www.dental-tribune.com/news/the-core-objective-of-my-presidency-is-to-strengthen-collaboration-between-the-efp-and-its-member-societies/