Brussels, 26 March 2026 – Professor Mia Rakic has been appointed president of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), succeeding Professor Spyros Vassilopoulos, with a focus on strengthening research collaboration and building a stronger evidence base for periodontal health policy in Europe. “Raising awareness of periodontal health remains a core priority of the EFP, supported through education, public awareness initiatives, and collaboration with the medical community,” Rakic said. “One of my priorities is to establish a European scientific network within the EFP, strengthening connections between researchers, national societies, and EFP committees. Through regular dialogue with national societies, we can better understand their needs and challenges and communicate these to the relevant committees,” she added.

Professor Rakic also aims to build a structured network capable of conducting coordinated epidemiological and surveillance studies in Europe. Strengthening the evidence base in this way would also reinforce advocacy efforts with organizations such as the European Commission and the World Health Organization.

“In my professional journey I was trained and worked in different European countries allowing me to experience the diversity of the periodontal profession. Another privilege was to `grow’ in the EFP, being active in the federation for years. This enabled me to acquire a good understanding of the periodontal profession, the functioning of the federation and the needs and expectations of member societies”, she noted.

Mia Rakic is Professor in Department of Periodontology at the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Head of the Robert K. Schenk Laboratory for Oral Histology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland. She is a specialist in periodontology and oral medicine and a recognised expert in the personalised management of bone pathologies.
“During my presidency, I aim to strengthen the involvement of younger professionals in collaboration with medical societies. They are often particularly effective at communicating complex information to diverse audiences, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, and patients. I am also the youngest president in the federation’s history, which reflects the EFP’s commitment to equal opportunities”.

The EFP is a non-profit organisation representing 47 national periodontal societies and plays a leading role in promoting oral health and awareness of periodontal science globally, from Europe to Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.