The International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons: A Reintroduction

The concept of a plastic surgery study club came into fruition at the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) annual meeting in October 1987. At that time, Dr. P.D. Miller's Classification of marginal concept of periodontal plastic surgery was new, therefore the group was limited to 20 clinicians who gave presentations on various aspects of mucogingival surgery. Included in the initial group were Drs. P.D. Miller, Pat Allen, Peter Nordland, Herman Corn, Jim Mellonig, Ron Nevins, Burt Langer, Bob Schallhorn, Jay Siebert, Gary Maynard, and Randy Harris.

Over the years, the focus of the organization changed as international dentists and educators expressed interest. Dr. Yoshihiro Ono from Japan not only joined the group, but he also brought a contingent of Japanese dentists to the meeting. Dr. Peter Raetzke from Germany, who published on the connective tissue graft, became an active participant. At this point, the periodontal plastic surgery study club became the International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons (ISPPS), and membership was open to dentists with an interest in this field.

The annual ISPPS meeting is held the day before and in the same city as the AAP meeting. The meeting format is designed to allow focused presentations that either outline a new technique or represent a refinement of an old technique. Presentations are limited to 15 minutes, with 5 to 10 minutes for discussion. This format has proved successful because many ideas can be presented in a brief period.

Today, ISPPS is composed of dental specialists throughout the world, most of whom are full-time clinicians and educators. ISPPS welcomes new members who are interested in periodontal plastic surgery. In addition, students in periodontal residency programs are encouraged to attend. Fellowship in the ISPPS is attained after presenting to the group at five meetings.

The mission of the ISPPS is to present cutting-edge, often unpublished material, or modifications to existing techniques in the field of periodontal plastic and reconstructive surgery, to improve the overall esthetics to the benefit of patients long-term. The group's passion is to share this new information and to mentor the younger members of the organization. This issue of Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry showcases contributions from ISPPS members in the hope of expanding knowledge of and interest in these techniques in periodontal plastic surgery. The ISPPS thanks Compendium for this opportunity.

This issue is respectfully dedicated to the memory of D. Walter Cohen, DDS.

Robert A. Levine, DDS
Fellow of the ISPPS

P.D. Miller, DDS
Fellow of the ISPPS

W. Peter Nordland, DMD
Fellow of the ISPPS