I would like to congratulate the Indian Society of Periodontology (ISP) on the landmark achievement of your Golden Anniversary. Fifty years is a very significant milestone, and I was privileged to be invited to deliver the Dr. G. B. Shankwalkar Oration at the prestigious Golden Jubilee National Conference, held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Center, Janpath, New Delhi, on 18–20 December 2025. I would also like to extend the hand of friendship from the British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP), which last year celebrated its 75th year anniversary. As Immediate Past President of the BSP, it is my immense pleasure to convey the best wishes and congratulations of the entire Council of BSP to the ISP on achieving your 50th year anniversary. It is always such a pleasure to visit India and I am particularly grateful to the Scientific Committee and especially Dr. Ashish Jain for the kind invitation to be a speaker at the conference. You assembled a truly remarkable line-up of speakers, including both national and international experts, with collectively a global reputation for quality and excellence. Whenever I speak at a conference, I am always keen to learn from the other speakers, so that I can get more understanding of the latest research and clinical developments in our wonderful specialty of periodontology. The ISP Golden Jubilee conference did not disappoint, with extremely high-quality and inspirational presentations from the experts in the field. In particular, we learned of the latest developments in periodontal surgery, especially regenerative techniques, as well as the detailed intricacies of implant placement. We also enjoyed excellent presentations on the management of peri-implantitis, that scourge of modern-day periodontics and which can be so very difficult to treat. At the same time, we also learned of significant developments in the field of nonsurgical periodontal treatment, which is the starting point and indeed the cornerstone of all periodontal therapy. I am referring to the introduction of the minimally invasive nonsurgical technique. Undertaking gentle, nondestructive forms of nonsurgical periodontal therapy without damaging the root surface and then giving the soft tissues adequate time to heal (and not being too impatient to re-probe or raise a flap) is surely of fundamental importance as we develop ever more effective therapies for periodontitis. One thing that particularly impressed me at the conference was the engagement and enthusiasm of the delegates, who interacted with the speakers so very effectively and challenged them with highly insightful questions and discussion points. As a speaker, this is one of the most valuable aspects of delivering a lecture to a well-informed audience – to see which questions might be asked, as these often can lead to new ways of thinking and new ideas for future research and clinical care. The buzz and excitement around the conference were palpable, whether in the lecture theater, the industry exhibition, or at the poster presentations area. It is always such a pleasure to view the posters and have discussions with the presenters – often postgraduate students with burning questions to ask, and always a lively and interested manner. Thank you for such a warm welcome. It has been a privilege to present my lecture at the Golden Anniversary Conference and to re-connect with old friends and colleagues as well as make new friends. As I stood at the lectern to deliver my lecture and looked out at the sea of faces in the audience, one thing was very clear to me: that Dr. G. B. Shankwalkar would certainly be very proud of all that has been achieved by the ISP in developing periodontology in India over the last 50 years. Many congratulations ISP.
Philip M. Preshaw (Sat,) studied this question.