A note from our President…

Gums rock. Keep them safe!

That is the slogan for Gum Health Day this year, which is emphasising an educational approach, particularly for younger individuals (adolescents and young adults), who may not be aware of the importance of good periodontal health as part of overall health, as well as the importance of keeping gums healthy from an early age.

Gum Health Day is always on 12 May each year and is an initiative that is conducted across Europe and beyond. You will have seen the mailing from BSP head office, containing details of the promotional videos and information targeting this group of people, and we encourage you to promote this important campaign in your practices.

There will be a number of events held across the UK, in particular with undergraduate students from our Dental Schools and Dental Therapy and Dental Hygiene programmes distributing patient information leaflets in busy places such as shopping centres.

Did you know that 2024 marks the Diamond Anniversary for the BSP? The Society was founded in 1949, which means we are now 75 years young as a Society. The changes that have occurred in dentistry in general and periodontology in particular over that time are quite remarkable. Some online research reveals that two Diamond Anniversaries are celebrated: one at 60 and one at 75 years. Apparently, the original diamond anniversary is 75 years, but the 60-year version was added for the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s accession to the throne in 1897 (she reigned from 1837-1901).

More pertinently, our previous Diamond Anniversary was in 2009, when Professor Francis Hughes was President of the Society, and the Autumn Scientific meeting held in London had the topic “Plaque on Trial – Does Plaque Really Cause Periodontal Disease?”. Look out for more special treats and anecdotes from the BSP history books as we celebrate our second Diamond Anniversary this year.

Lastly, BSP continues to be closely involved in EFP activities, and Professor Luigi Nibali and I were proud to represent BSP at the EFP General Assembly which was held in Zagreb, Croatia in mid-April. That was a wonderful event where the successes and contributions of the constituent national periodontal societies (including BSP) were celebrated, and future plans (such as detailed planning for the next EuroPerio conference, to be held in Vienna, 14-17 May 2025) were further developed.