Sapienza University of Rome integrates the EFP Postgraduate Programme in Periodontology

The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has recognized the postgraduate programme in periodontology at Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, as part of its accredited Postgraduate Programme.

This reflects the programme’s alignment with the EFP’s rigorous standards for specialist education in periodontology, supporting high-quality training across Europe and reinforcing the federation’s role as a platform for harmonizing education in the field.

The programme is directed by Professor Andrea Pilloni, with Dr Lorenzo Marini as co-director. It is delivered in collaboration with the Dental Clinic and George Eastman Hospital in Rome, within a multidisciplinary clinical environment that includes links with oral surgery, oral pathology, restorative dentistry, and orthodontics.

The three-year programme leads to the completion of three consecutive Level II Master’s degrees in periodontology, each corresponding to one year of study. The structure integrates didactic teaching, clinical training, and research, with students undertaking extensive supervised clinical activity, amounting to around 500 hours per year, as well as developing and presenting a research protocol suitable for publication.

Training is delivered to a small cohort of students, enabling close supervision and structured progression through the programme. Clinical cases are documented and discussed collegially, and multidisciplinary care is a core component of the educational approach.

“The integration of the postgraduate programme at Sapienza University of Rome into the EFP framework reflects a strong alignment with our requirements for specialist education in periodontology,” said Professor Nikolaos Donos, chair of the EFP education committee. “By bringing together programmes that meet these standards, the EFP supports greater consistency in training across Europe, while facilitating collaboration among academic centres. This helps ensure that future specialists are well prepared to address the evolving clinical challenges in periodontal and peri-implant care.”