EFP Digital Innovation Award: an invitation to think differently

Q: What kinds of projects or ideas are you hoping to see in this year’s submissions? Are there unmet needs in periodontal care that digital tools could help address?

JD: We are particularly interested in projects that combine scientific quality with feasibility and real-world applicability.

There are many unmet needs in periodontology and oral health where digital innovation could make a meaningful impact. For example, digital tools may help improve the early detection of periodontal diseases, enhance patient adherence to supportive care, facilitate personalized risk assessment, or simplify data collection and analysis in both clinical practice and research.

Of course, diagnostic technologies, AI-supported risk assessment tools, or mobile applications that allow both clinicians and patients to better monitor disease stability are particularly interesting areas. However, one of the most exciting aspects of a Digital Innovation Award is that we do not yet know what ideas and concepts will emerge.

True innovation often comes from unexpected directions, and we are very curious to discover new approaches that may challenge existing ways of thinking and open entirely new possibilities for periodontal care.

Q: Previous winning projects have ranged from AI-powered diagnostics to patient communication platforms. What do these innovations tell us about where the field is heading?

JD: These projects clearly show that periodontology is becoming increasingly digital, data-driven, and patient-centred. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital communication tools are already influencing everyday clinical practice, prevention strategies, and research.

The previous winning projects demonstrate that digital innovation can take many forms. Some technologies use AI to support diagnostics, risk assessment, and clinical decision-making with remarkable speed and precision. Others focus on communication and patient engagement, highlighting how important education, motivation, and continuous interaction are for long-term periodontal stability and successful supportive care.

Importantly, these innovations show that technology is not intended to replace clinical expertise, but rather to support clinicians and empower patients.

We are probably only at the beginning of this development. The speed at which digital technologies are evolving suggests that many of the most transformative applications in periodontal healthcare may still lie ahead.

Q: Some clinicians or researchers may feel that their idea is “not advanced enough” or still at an early stage. What would you say to encourage them to apply?

JD: Many impactful innovations begin as relatively simple ideas that address a clearly defined problem.

What matters most is not whether a project is already fully developed, but whether it has the potential to improve gum health, clinical practice, patient care, or research.

The award is designed to support creativity and innovation at different stages of development. Even early-stage concepts can be highly valuable if they demonstrate originality, relevance, and feasibility.

Importantly, the application process itself can already be very beneficial. It encourages applicants to further develop and critically reflect on their ideas.

In addition, participating in the award offers an opportunity to present new concepts to the periodontal community, receive recognition and visibility, and see how one’s own ideas relate to and interact with other innovative approaches in the field.

One of the main goals of the initiative is precisely to encourage people to share and develop new ideas. Therefore, I would definitely encourage anyone with a promising concept to apply.

Q: One of the strengths of the award is that it welcomes innovations for patients, clinicians, and researchers alike. Why is it important to support innovation across all these areas?

JD: Progress in oral healthcare depends on innovation at multiple levels. Patients, clinicians, and researchers are all closely interconnected, and advances in one area often directly influence the others.

Research is essential to better understand the etiopathogenesis of periodontitis, identify relevant risk factors, and evaluate the effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic interventions. Digital technologies and AI-based approaches may significantly enhance research quality, data analysis, and collaboration, ultimately leading to new scientific insights. In this sense, research forms the foundation for future progress in periodontal care.

At the clinical level, digital innovation can support more accurate diagnostics, personalized risk assessment, improved workflows, treatment planning, and supportive care. In this way, scientific advances can be translated more efficiently into everyday clinical practice.

However, patients remain at the centre of everything we do. Long-term periodontal stability strongly depends on patient motivation, education, and adherence. Even the best treatment concepts may fail if patients are not actively engaged in their care. Therefore, digital tools that improve communication, education, self-monitoring, and patient engagement are equally important.

For this reason, it is essential that digital innovation supports all these areas simultaneously. Only by connecting research, clinical practice, and patient-centred care can we fully realize the potential of digital technologies in periodontology and oral healthcare.

Q: How can initiatives like the Digital Innovation Award help ensure that technological advances translate into real benefits for patients and everyday clinical practice?

JD: Awards like this help bridge the gap between innovation and implementation. They provide visibility, recognition, and encouragement for projects that have practical relevance and real-world potential.

Importantly, the application process itself asks participants to think not only about the idea, but also about unmet needs, feasibility, applicability, and future implementation. This helps ensure that innovations are developed with patients and clinicians in mind.

In addition, initiatives like this create awareness within the professional community, motivate researchers and clinicians to actively develop new ideas, and inspire further innovation in periodontology and oral healthcare.

Finally, initiatives like this foster collaboration between clinicians, researchers, developers, and industry partners, which is essential for translating technology into meaningful healthcare improvements. In this context, I would like to thank Haleon for its vision and commitment in supporting this EFP initiative. Partnerships that encourage innovation and create opportunities for new ideas play an important role in advancing periodontal health.

Q: What would you say to encourage EFP members who are considering applying?

JD: I would strongly encourage colleagues with an innovative idea to not hesitate and simply apply!

The Digital Innovation Award is not only about winning a prize. It is also about sharing ideas, gaining visibility, and contributing to the future of periodontal care.

Innovation often starts with individuals who recognize a problem and dare to think differently.

Many impactful ideas begin at an early stage of development, and every innovative perspective can contribute valuable new insights to the field.

We are very much looking forward to discovering new ideas and seeing the creativity and vision within the EFP community. Together, these innovations may help shape the future of digital periodontology and oral healthcare.

Digital Innovation Award 2026