Oral health is no longer seen as an isolated aspect of the body. Increasingly, research links gum health to systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's. Meanwhile, the technological revolution is transforming dental practices with artificial intelligence tools, guided surgery, digital planning, and increasingly personalized procedures.
In this context, the city of Granada will be transformed from May 20th to 23rd in one of the great international epicenters of dental innovation with the celebration of SEPA Congress Granada 2026, organized by the SEPA Foundation. Under the motto “The future is now”, The meeting will bring together more than 4,000 professionals from over 40 countries at the Congress Palace, consolidating itself as one of the world's leading scientific events in Periodontics, Implant Therapy and Oral Health.
Far from the traditional image of dentistry focused solely on restorative treatments, the congress will showcase a discipline that is increasingly preventive, interdisciplinary, and supported by scientific evidence. The prevailing trend points toward highly individualized care, in which clinical data, patient biology, and new technologies allow for the design of more precise, less invasive therapies with better long-term results.
One of the major developments will be the impact of artificial intelligence on daily clinical practice. From computer-aided diagnostic systems capable of detecting periodontal disease in its early stages to predictive tools that help plan implant treatments with greater accuracy, AI is beginning to redefine the relationship between technological precision and medical judgment. This is further complemented by advances in applied robotics, digitally guided surgery, and new workflows that integrate intraoral scanners, 3D printing, and cutting-edge biomaterials.
The scientific program will also focus on one of the major current challenges in oral health: periodontal and peri-implant diseases. Although they often progress silently, these inflammatory conditions remain a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and their prevalence continues to represent a significant public health problem. Tissue regeneration, new biomaterials, and emerging surgical techniques will feature prominently in the discussions and practical workshops.
Beyond the strictly clinical component, SEPA Granada 2026 will also reflect a cultural transformation within the healthcare sector. Oral health is beginning to position itself as a strategic element within integrative medicine and the prevention of chronic diseases, aligning with a vision of holistic well-being that connects aesthetics, functionality, and longevity. This approach is especially relevant at a time when patients demand more sophisticated, minimally invasive treatments supported by solid scientific evidence.
The scale of the event will also have a significant economic and positioning impact on the city. The congress is expected to generate an estimated direct return of over €4.6 million for Granada, in addition to substantial intangible value related to international exposure, scientific tourism, and attracting talent and companies involved in healthcare innovation. Nearly one hundred companies will participate in ExpoPerio, the event's major trade exhibition, where some of the most advanced technologies and developments currently applied to oral health will be presented.
To mark the congress, a press conference will be held on Thursday, May 21st at 11:30 a.m. at the Granada Conference Centre, within the Integra Space of the Trade Fair. The conference will address both the economic and scientific impact of the event and the main challenges that will shape the immediate future of dentistry.
The prevailing sentiment within the sector is clear: the dental practice of the future is no longer tomorrow. It is beginning to be built now, driven by technology, personalized medicine, and a much broader understanding of the relationship between oral health and overall well-being.
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