Final report 2025
“Selamat datang di Indonesia”
(“Welcome to Indonesia”)
Advanced Course of the International Summer School for Clinical Periodontology and Implantology
– Bali 2025 –
The International Summer School for Clinical Periodontology and Implantology has a history of more than two decades. It was established in 2004 at the Department of Operative Dentistry, University Hospital Heidelberg, inspired by experiences the Heidelberg Periodontology team had previously gained in organizing international educational programs on behalf of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
From the outset, the principal idea was to create an environment in which young dentists from around the world could enhance and expand their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in periodontology and implantology within the framework of a two-week educational programme. The aspiration was never purely academic; rather, it also encompassed cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and the establishment of networks extending beyond the scientific domain.
Since then, the Summer School has been held biennially in Heidelberg and has established itself as a firmly recognised international format. In the summer of 2025, for the first time, an Advanced Course was conducted outside Germany – in Bali, from 1 to 4 August – in close collaboration with the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia (FKG UI), Department of Periodontology. This inaugural event represented not only a logistical achievement but also a visible symbol of Heidelberg’s integration into a global scientific network.Over four days, the Summer School combined high-level, evidence-based science with clinical practice. The 22 participants, originating from Indonesia, Germany, and the United Kingdom, engaged intensively with recent developments and research findings in periodontology and implantology, supported by a culture of open and constructive discussion. Approximately 75% of participants were certified specialists, while 25% were postgraduate trainees in periodontology.
The central theme of the course was the clinical management of Stage IV periodontitis in accordance with current guidelines. Particular emphasis was placed on the contributions of the lecturers.
Professor Ti-Sun Kim, Head of the Department of Periodontology at the University Hospital Heidelberg and founder of the Summer School, not only guided the programme but also delivered lectures on novel impulses in regenerative therapy and the application of innovative biomaterials such as hyaluronic acid. Furthermore, she provided theoretical and practical instruction on the splinting of mobile and periodontally compromised teeth using composite techniques.
An essential contribution to the successful implementation of the programme was provided by Professor Yuniarti Soeroso of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta. Together with Professor Kim, she played a decisive role in the organisation and academic design of the course. As one of the leading figures in periodontal research in Indonesia, she delivered a lecture on the classification of Stage IV periodontitis case types and derived differentiated therapeutic recommendations.
Further expertise was contributed by Professor Peter Eickholz, Head of the Department of Periodontology at the University Hospital Frankfurt. As one of Germany’s most scientifically active periodontologists, a former long-standing President of the German Society of Periodontology, and editor of leading journals, he provided insight into regenerative periodontal surgery and demonstrated how complex defects may be addressed by minimally invasive surgical approaches. His scientifically rigorous yet clinically relevant perspective rendered his contributions particularly valuable to the participants.
Professor Christian Mertens from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, presented the latest surgical techniques for implant placement in periodontally compromised dentitions with reduced bone availability, including augmentation procedures, sinus lift techniques, and modern methods employing tenting screws.International perspectives further enriched the course: Professor Ki-Tae Koo of Seoul National University, renowned for his clinical research on peri-implantitis, illustrated resective and regenerative approaches through unique peri-implantitis models. A particular highlight was the contribution of Professor Kee-Joon Lee (Yonsei University, Seoul), who addressed orthodontic treatment in periodontally compromised dentitions. Drawing on his extensive expertise with mini-implants, he demonstrated how orthodontic and periodontal therapies can be integrated in an interdisciplinary manner.
The programme concluded with a virtual lecture by Professor Maurizio Tonetti, who joined from Shanghai and presented his most recent publication, “Aesthetics and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry”. His key message was unambiguous: the individual needs and values of patients must remain central to treatment and be incorporated into evidence-based decision-making.
The Summer School was, however, more than a scientific symposium. In addition to the intensive seminars, lectures, and practical sessions, interpersonal exchange constituted a central element. Shared evening meals, during which traditional Indonesian dishes such as Nasi Tempong were enjoyed, fostered a collegial atmosphere and demonstrated that scientific and intercultural exchange thrives equally in informal settings. Such encounters not only strengthened international networks but also gave rise to enduring friendships.The event simultaneously reflected on more than 20 years of Summer School history and provided a forward-looking perspective in which periodontology and implantology may continue to develop not solely as academic disciplines but also as bridges between cultures.
