Addressing periodontal diseases in children and adolescents: new consensus published

A new expert consensus report on gingival and periodontal diseases in children and adolescents was simultaneously published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (1) and in European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry (2) in April 2026. The publication presents the outcomes of a focused workshop held on 16–17 March 2025 between the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) and the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) with the support of Colgate-Palmolive. It marks an important step in addressing a long-overlooked area of oral health.

While periodontal diseases are widely studied in adults, their presentation, diagnosis, and management in younger populations have received comparatively little attention. Previous frameworks, including the 2018 classification of periodontal diseases and conditions and EFP clinical practice guidelines provided only a limited consideration of diseases affecting children and adolescents, prompting the need to assess whether existing approaches were appropriate for these age groups.

The newly published consensus addresses this gap. It compiles current knowledge on epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment, while highlighting the specific characteristics of periodontal conditions in younger patients.

“An increased attention to periodontal health in children and adolescents is essential,” explains David Herrera, chair of the workshop. “This is due to the high prevalence of conditions such as dental biofilm-induced gingivitis, the potential severity or the links with systemic conditions of others. At the same time, young patients have unique predisposing and modifying factors that influence diagnosis, prognosis, and management.”

Children and adolescents present unique clinical challenges. Ongoing growth, tooth eruption, and differences in immune response influence disease progression and clinical presentation. While gingivitis is common in this age group, more severe conditions, although rare, can be aggressive and destructive, if not identified early. Diagnosis can also be more complex as clinical signs may be less evident, and standard periodontal assessment tools may be more difficult to apply in primary and mixed dentition.

Workshop discussions were informed by three systematic reviews (3-5), all published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, and structured around three main areas: periodontal diseases associated with systemic conditions (3), gingival conditions (4), and periodontitis in children and adolescents (5). Notably, around 70 genetic, congenital, and acquired conditions were identified as having an impact on periodontal health in young patients, in some cases leading to severe disease.

A central message emerging from the consensus is the importance of integrating periodontal evaluation into routine paediatric dental care, alongside educating families and caregivers, who play a key role in maintaining oral hygiene in younger patients.

“Since paediatric dentists are often the first oral health professionals who come into contact with young patients, they in a great position to diagnose, treat, or refer them to periodontists, and collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary dental/medical team,” explained Professor Sotiria Gizani, president elect of EAPD. “Examining gingival tissues during routine check-ups, based on the needs and level of patient cooperation, as well as involving the whole family, will help prevent progression of disease and ensure better oral health outcomes throughout life.”

“The key takeaway is that periodontal tissues in children and adolescents differ from those in adults,” Professor Herrera adds. “This means that we need to adapt how we assess and manage these conditions. Early identification, understanding risk factors, and tailoring care to the child’s stage of development are crucial to preventing long-term damage.”

The collaboration between the EFP and EAPD also represents a significant milestone, bringing together complementary expertise to support a more coordinated and patient-centred approach to care. It is expected to contribute not only to improved clinical practice, but also to future research and education in this field.

"At Colgate-Palmolive, we were proud to support the landmark joint workshop between the EFP and the EAPD, focusing on a less understood population: children and adolescents experiencing periodontal health problems,” said Dr Irina Laura Chivu-Garip, Head of Scientific Affairs EMEA at Colgate-Palmolive. 

“Youth oral health goes beyond detecting and applying appropriate intervention—it is the foundation for lifelong oral and systemic health. Periodontal diseases in younger populations are significant, yet preventable, drivers of long-term health inequalities. When we prioritize early detection and integrate tailored interventions into paediatric care, we can disrupt the progression of oral diseases before they manifest into chronic, burdening health conditions in adulthood. Advancing epidemiological knowledge and clinical guidelines in this space allows us to shift from a reactive treatment model to a proactive, population-based prevention strategy.”

As with previous EFP consensus reports, this publication is set to become a key reference for dental professionals, and to inform future developments in paediatric oral health.

References

(1) Chapple I, Gizani S, Sanz M, Declerck D, Madianos P, Clerehugh V, Danser M, Davidovich E, Davies J, Donos N, Dursun E, Figuero E, Graziani F, Gursoy M, Jepsen S, Joseph C, Kebschull M, Kraemer N, Lambrinaki T, López R, Manton DJ, Meyle J, Molina A, Shapira L, Somani C, Tsilingaridis G, Twetman S, West N, Wondimu B, Wong F, Herrera D. Gingival and Periodontal Diseases and Conditions in Children and Adolescents: Consensus Report. J Clin Periodontol. 2026 Apr 15. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.70033. Online ahead of print.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.70033

(2) Chapple I, Gizani S, Sanz M, Declerck D, Madianos PN, Clerehugh V, Danser MM, Davidovich E, Davies J, Donos N, Dursun E, Figuero E, Graziani F, Gürsoy M, Jepsen S, Joseph C, Kebschull M, Kraemer N, Lambrinaki T, Lopez R, Manton DJ, Meyle J, Molina A, Shapira L, Somani C, Tsilingaridis G, Twetman S, West NX, Wondimu B, Wong F, Herrera D. Gingival and periodontal diseases and conditions in children and adolescents: consensus report. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2026 Apr 15. doi: 10.1007/s40368-025-01154-y. Online ahead of print.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40368-025-01154-y

(3) Molina A, Meyle J, Ram D, Chun YP, Colmenares ME, Davidovich E. Periodontal Diseases and Conditions in Children and Adolescents Associated With Systemic Disorders: A Systematic Review. J Clin Periodontol. 2026 Apr 17. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.70109. Online ahead of print.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.70109

(4) Tsilingaridis G, Tewari N, Seremidi K, Papaioannou W, López R. Dental Biofilm-Induced Gingivitis in Children and Adolescents Without Known Systemic Involvement: A Systematic Review. J Clin Periodontol. 2026 Mar 29. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.70122. Online ahead of print.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.70122

(5)   Eshkol-Yogev I, Ambrosio N, Somani C, Figuero E, Shapira L, Davies J. Periodontitis and Periodontal Conditions in Systemically Healthy Children and Adolescents. J Clin Periodontol. 2025 Aug 7. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.14199. Online ahead of print.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.14199

Full paper

Workshop news item

Workshop video