The Fifth European Workshop on Periodontology (EWP) of the European Academy of Periodontology held at Charterhouse at Ittingen, Thurgau, Switzerland highlighted developments in periodontology. Starting in 1992, the EAP has organized a European Workshop (EWP) every 3 years. These workshops were staged to unite teachers and researchers in the field of Periodontology and related areas to discuss and promote the field in the sense of a true academy. The fourth EWP in 2002 tackled the difficult task of profoundly probe the scientific basis for periodontal practice. After a successful approach in 2002, the EAP decided to devote the fifth EWP to the discussion of new knowledge arising from research in aetiology, pathogenesis and analytical epidemiology leading to preventive concepts.