INTERNATIONAL  
SUMMERSCHOOL for
CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY & IMPLANTOLOGY 
HEIDELBERG

DR. KAMEN GEORGIEV - SOFIA, BULGARIA

From July 20 until August 01 the 2008 International Summer School for Clinical Periodontology and Implantology was organized by the Section of Periodontology, Department of Operative Dentistry of the University of Heidelberg. The main goal of the Summer School idea is to create an international network of young dental professionals for exchange of new ideas and knowledge. For two weeks 20 participants from 11 countries (Portugal, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, South Korea, Philippines, and Fiji) gathered in Heidelberg to learn from one of the leading professionals in their field. The 2008 Summer School was supported by University of Cologne, Germany; University of Frankfurt, Germany; University of Düsseldorf, Germany; University of Rochester, USA; University of Minnesota, USA and several companies - Dentsply –Friadent, Straumann, GABA International.
The program was very intensive and required maximum concentration from all participants. On the first day when the program was presented I thought that hard two weeks lie ahead. But now I have to say that I was mistaken. Yes the courses demanded maximum concentration, but Dr. Kim and her team had created a wonderful organization of the events with balanced mixture of lectures, hands on courses and social events and we all really enjoyed the time in Heidelberg.
The content of the lectures presented the most contemporary state of knowledge in the fields of Periodontology and Implantology but most important to me was that the content was always evidence based and the majority of the lectures were interactive. And that was what I appreciated because I not only learned many new facts but really understood them better while discussing with the other colleagues.
And the lecturers - they were top-class. It was a honour for me to have the opportunity to learn from such erudite and experienced professionals. I enjoyed especially the lectures Antibiotics in Periodontology (Dr.Kim) because I am interested in this topic. Prof. Castalonga impressed me with his lecture of Etiology and Pathogenesis of Periodontitis and I realized that lot of new knowledge is gathered in the past few years and I must bring my own up to date. And Prof. Steveling, he is such an experienced surgeon that I really wish we had more time to learn from him.
The lectures were supported with many hands on courses (Periodontal Flap Surgery; Furcation therapy; Augmentation procedures; Preparation for implants and Mucogingival surgery). They gave us the chance not only to learn the latest surgical techniques but to discuss the indications, case and site selection, which determine the result from the procedures.
The Summer School was not only learning. The social program gave us the opportunity to visit many landmarks (The Heidelberg Castle, Baden-Baden, the gardens of Schweitzinger Castle, the Bruchsal Castle)which discovered the charm and mystic of the German history and culture. I want to thank the Summer School Staff for that wonderful moments and especially Raluca and Amelie, for showing us the beauty of German nature and history and Patrick for the wonderful night-tours through Heidelberg, I really felt as if I was at home.
At the end I want to say that these two weeks in Heidelberg were one of the best in my life. I met amazing people from all over the world and we became friends, I gathered knowledge and experience and now I am eager to learn more.
I would like to thank to: Dr. Kim for the opportunity to take part in the 2008 International Summer School for Clinical Periodontology and Implantology. Thank you Dr. Kim for showing me the way that a true teacher should be and for giving me and to all of us part of your enthusiasm and passion. All the lecturers Prof.Eickholz, Prof. Schwarz, Prof. Costalonga, Dr.Kwok, Prof.Neugebauer and Prof.Steveling, for sharing their enormous experience with us. Dr. Kim’s staff (Raluca, Amelie, Patrick, Sven and Nils) and everybody else who made the these two weeks such a wonderful experience.. All my new friends (Garry, Iva, Marko, Maria Antoanietta, Eliana, Francesco, Minas, Mariana, Monica, Anca, Bojana, Irina, Lim, Leenu, Park, Song, Melanie, Jurate and Bhabita). We had amazing time together. I love you all!
All the sponsors - without their support the summer school would not have happened.