Department of Periodontology and Oral mucosa Diseases

Academic Staff

Associate professor Blagovesta Konstantinova Yaneva, DMD, PhD – Head of the department

professor Elena Ilieva Firkova, DMD, PhD

Chief Assistant Professor Nikola Vladimirov Stamenov, DMD, PhD – Administration coordinarot, Health and safety labore coordinatons coordinator

Assistant Professor Yana Borisova Dermendzhieva, DMD, Educational activities coordinator

Assoc. Professor Maria Zaharieva Mutafchieva, DMD, PhD – Science and Research activities coordinator

Chief Assistant Professor Stilyana Angelova Krasteva, DMD, PhD

Chief Assistant Professor Lilia Borislavova Kavlakova, DMD, PhD – Quality of education coordinator

Assistant Professor Margarita Strahilova Hadzhieva, DMD – Online education coordinator

Assistant Professor Petar Vaskov Shentov, DMD, doctorate candidate – Treatment activities coordinator

Assistant Professor Dimitar Georgiev Bogoev , DMD – Web coordinator

Assistant Professor Elena Dimitrova Atanasova, DMD – International Cooperation and Project Activity coordinator, Erasmus

Assistant Professor Plamena Lyubomirova Barekova

Georgi Veselinov Boychev

Ivan Atanasov Yovkov

Konstantin Bonchev Slavov

Research

The department of Periodontology and oral disease conducts scientific research in the following key fields:

• Diseases of the periodontal tissues, the oral mucosa and the peri-implant tissues
• Contemporary methods of treatment of the desquamative gingivitis
• Immunobiological properties of low intensity laser radiation
• Antimicrobial activity of certain strains of oral microbiota against periodontal pathogenic flora
• Laser-assisted therapy of periimplantitis lesions
• Non-invasive methods of investigation of oral cancerous lesions
• Photodynamic therapy in the nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease

For the period of 2016-2020, the department has taken initiative in the organization of the following international congresses and symposia:

• 7th International Dental Laser Academy, Plovdiv – 31.03 – 02.04.2016
• 8th International Dental Laser Academy, Plovdiv – 30.03 – 01.04.2017
• 9th International Dental Laser Academy, Plovdiv – 22.03 – 23.03.2018
• 17th International congress of ISLD (International Society for Laser Dentistry), Plovdiv, 06.06 – 08.06.2019

For the period of 2016 – 2020, members of the academical staff of the department had participated in nine scientific projects, of which:

• The national scientific programme of the Ministry of education and science (MES) – Project № BG05M2OP001-2.009-0025; Science and education for intelligent growth. Participants: Dr. Mariya Mutafchieva, d.m.; Dr. Blagovesta Yaneva, d.m.
• The scientific research fund of the Ministry of education and science (MES) – “Support for international science forums” № КП-06-МНФ/ 12 – 14.12.2018, Project lead: Assoc.prof. Dr. Georgi Tomov, d.m.
• Internal university projects :
  • СДП-01/2015-2016; „Early diagnostics of lesions of the oral mucosa in geriatric patients; Head of research: Prof. Dr. Elka Popova; Lead researcher: Dr. N.Nikolov
  • СДП-17/2015-2016;„Laser assisted therapy of periimplantitis lesions (physical, microbiological, SEM analysis); Head of research: Prof. Dr. P.Zagorchev, Prof. Dr. E.Popova; Lead researcher: Dr. I.Nachkov
  • НО-03/2014-2016; “Applications of LLLT-therapy with diode laser (810 nm) for lichen planus lesions – immunobiological effects. Head of research: Prof. P.Zagorchev; Lead researchers: Dr. M.Draganova – Filipova; Dr. M.Mutafchieva.
  • СДП-04/2017; “Investigation of the antimicrobial activity of probiotic strains of lactobacillus against periodontal pathogens” Head of research: Dr. B.Yaneva; Lead researcher: Dr. Y. Dermendzhieva
  • СДП-06/2019; “Applications of IMPLACURE in the surgical treatment of moderate and severe periimplantitis” Head of research: Dr. N. Stamenov; Lead researcher: Dr. I. Nachkov.
  • ДПДП-04/2019; “Application of antibacterial photodynamic therapy in the non-surgical treatment of moderate chronic periodontitis” Head of research: Assoc.prof. Georgi Tomov; Lead researcher: Dr. M.Tanev “
  • ДПДП/3/2019; “Radiographic analysis of the alveolar bone structures in cross-bite teeth with gingival recession” Head of research: Prof. E.Popova; Assoc.prof. S.Krysteva; Lead researcher: Dr. S. Krysteva

Assoc.prof. Georgi Tomov is a member of the executive board of ISLD (International society for laser dentistry) – https://isldlaser.com/about/ ; and guest-lecturer in the laser dentistry master’s programme at The Eastman Dental Institute, London, UK (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/short-courses/search-courses/fellowship-laser-dentistry)

2012 „Clinical use of Er:YAG laser in treatment of moderate chronic periodontitis“; Project leader: Prof. Elena Firkova, DMD, PhD; principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Blagovesta Yaneva, PhD.
MD-RO-BGNS-2015 „Adjunctive Treatment of Residual Periodontal Pockets with Hyaluronic Acid“ International multicenter project, Medical University – Plovdiv; Principal investigator for Bulgaria and leading investigator for Medical University – Plovdiv: Prof. Elena Firkova, DMD, PhD; Investigators: dr. A. Tasheva, dr. Y. Dermendzhieva

SDP 16/2015 „Antibodies Against Modified Citrullinated Vimentin – The Potential Role of Porphyromonas gingivalis in Their Production“ Project leader and principal investigator: Prof. Elena Firkova, DMD, PhD.

NP №9/19 (2019) „Guided Tissue Regeneration with Hyaluronic Acid and Erythropoietin in Bone Defects“; Technical University – Stara Zagora; Project leader and principal investigator: Prof. Elena Firkova, DMD, PhD.

NO-06/2019 „Application of IMPLACURE in the Surgical Treatment of Moderate and Severe Peri-implantitis“; Project leader: Dr. Nikola Stamenov, PhD; Principal investigator: Dr. Ivan Nachkov.

NO-03/2021 „Biochemical Markers for Evaluation of Osseointegration After Placement of Titanium Implants“; Scientific supervisor: Prof. Tatyana Vlaykova, PhD; Investigators: Dr. Nikola Stamenov, Dr. Ivan Nachkov.

2021 „Effectiveness of Photodynamic Therapy in the Non-Surgical Treatment of Moderate Chronic Periodontitis“; Scientific supervisor: Prof. Georgi Tomov, PhD; Principal investigator: Dr. Mihail Tanev.

2021 „Study on the Clinical Effectiveness of Five Types of Mouthwash“ Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Blagovesta Yaneva, PhD; Investigators: Dr. Maria Mutafchieva, Dr. Mihail Tanev, Dr. Liliya Kavlakova, Dr. Nikola Stamenov, Dr. Yana Dermemdzhieva.

R-2833/2021 „Parameters of Oral Health in Patients with Eating Disorders: Questionnaire-Based and Clinical Studies“; Scientific supervisor: Prof. Georgi Tomov, PhD; Principal investigator: Dr. Margarita Hadzhieva.

International Project (2023) „Clinical and Microbiological Evaluation of a Healing Abutment for Soft Tissue Healing Around Dental Implants with an Innovative Antimicrobial NobioTTM Surface Compared with Standard Machined Healing Abutments“; Project leader: Assoc. Prof. Boyan Vladimirov, PhD; Investigators: Dr. Ivan Nachkov, Dr. Dimitar Bogoev.

NO-04/24 „Laboratory and Clinical Analysis of an Innovative Mouthwash in School-Age Children with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances“; Scientific supervisors: Prof. Ani Belcheva, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Blagovesta Yaneva, PhD; Principal investigator: Dr. Tanya Zalamova-Dineva.

NO-01/24 „Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Zinc-Containing Splints in the Treatment of Gingivitis: Laboratory and Clinical Studies“; Scientific supervisors: Assoc. Prof. Blagovesta Yaneva, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Dobromira Shopova, PhD.; Principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Blagovesta Yaneva, PhD.

Textbooks

For the period 2016-2020, members of the department (independently or in panel) have participated in the production of the following editions:

1. Firkova E., Zdr. Ivanova. Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation. ISBN: 978-619-188-339-4; 2015 (Second edition).
2. Tomov G, Belcheva A. Laser Applications in Dental Medicine. Textbook for the students’ elective subject “Laser dentistry”, MUP, 2018;
3. Firkova E. Fundamentals of Periodontology. ISBN 978-619-189-117-7; 2019.
4. Firkova E. Multiple Choice Questions for the Fundamentals of Periodontology. ISBN 978-619-189-131-3; 2019.
5. Krasteva A., Vl. Panov, M. Dencheva, M. Balcheva, G. Tomov, Y. Istatkova. Notebook of Oral pathology, Sofia, 2020.
6. Textbook of Clinical Periodontology (in two volumes). Author collective from the Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosal Diseases, Medical University – Plovdiv, and the Department of Periodontology, Medical University – Sofia. Vilem Ltd., Sofia, 2023.
7. Collection of Tests in Periodontology. Author collective, Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosal Diseases, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2025.
8. MCQs in Periodontology. Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosal Diseases, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2025.

Mutafchieva M. Tests in Oral Pathology. Medical University – Plovdiv, 2025.

Publications

For the period of 2016-2020, members of the department have participated in issuing of 77 publications (27 of which referred in Scopus and Web of Science and 50 issued in non-referred editions). For the same period, the department produced 68 scientific announcements (35 of which in international forums), while the scientific activity of the department received 125 citations (98 of which from foreign authors)

The publications of the academic staff of the department for the period 2020–2025 number 73 (42 in journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, 29 of which have an Impact Factor). The publications of the department’s faculty members for this period have been cited a total of 300 times.
The number of scientific presentations in 2025 is 14 (6 at international scientific forums and 8 at Bulgarian scientific forums).

Monographs

For the period of 2016-2020, members of the department (independently or in panel) have participated in issuing of the following editions:

1. S. Tzanova, G.Tomov et al. – “Oral health in drug addicted patients”, Plovdiv 2011
2. A. Belcheva, Tomov G. – “Hard tooth structures in health and pathology – SEM Atlas, MU-Plovdiv, 2018
3. Belcheva A., Tomov G. Applications of Lasers in Dental Medicine. Textbook for the elective course Laser Dentistry, Medical University – Plovdiv, 2018.
4. Tsolov G., Yordanov G., Firkova E. Medication-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaws. Plovdiv, 2020.
5. Firkova E. Application and Effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid in the Reconstructive Treatment of Periodontal Diseases. 2021.
6. Yaneva B. Application of Lasers in Periodontology. Lax Book, 2021.
7. Firkova E. Application and Effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid in the Reconstructive Treatment of Periodontal Diseases. Lax Book, 2021.
8. Tomov G. Laser Therapy of Benign Vascular Lesions of the Oral Mucosa. Lax Book, 2022.
9. Mutafchieva M. Oral Lichen Planus: A Differential Diagnostic Compendium. Maria Mutafchieva, 2025.

Dissertations

For the period of 2001 – 2020, members of the department have successfully finished the following dissertations:

• Popova E. “Stomatitis subprothetica – paths of diagnostics, directions for etiologic treatment”, Plovdiv 2001
• Firkova E. “Root surface treatment in chronic periodontitis” Plovdiv 2005
• Tomov G. “Irrigation of infected root canals” Plovdiv 2009
• Krystev B. “Minimally invasive non-surgical and surgical approach in the regeneration of infrabony periodontal defects”, Plovdiv 2012
• Yaneva B. “Applications of ER:YAG lasers in the treatment of moderate chronic periodontitis”, Plovdiv 2014
• Stamenov N. “Oral piercing and oral health” Plovdiv 2015
• Mutafchieva M. “Immunobiological effects of LLLT-laser therapy in the treatment of oral lichen planus. Experimental, laboratory and clinical investigations” Plovdiv 2018
• Krysteva S. “The role of morphological risk factors in cross-bite teeth with gingival recession in the anterior segment” Plovdiv 2019
• Nikolov N. “Non-invasive methods for early diagnostics of oral precancerous lesions” Plovdiv 2019
• Nachkov I. “Laser-Assisted Therapy of Peri-implantitis Using an Er:YAG Laser.” Dissertation, Plovdiv, 2022.
• Kavlakova L. “Gingival Manifestations of Lichen Planus, Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid and Pemphigus Vulgaris: Questionnaire-Based, Epidemiological and Clinical Studies.” Dissertation, Plovdiv, 2022.
• Tanev M. “Mechanisms of Effectiveness of Photodynamic Therapy in Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment.” Dissertation, Plovdiv, 2023.

Currently, the department is conducting three full-time doctoral programs:
Shentov P. “HPV-Related Oral Lesions.”
Bogoev D. “Periodontal Maintenance of Peri-implant Health – Laboratory and Clinical Studies.”
Yovkov I. “Influence of the Use of Different Types of Tobacco Products on Periodontal Health – Morphological, Microbiological and Immunological Aspects.”
Barekova P. “Clinical, Microbiological and Immunological Outcomes After Photodynamic Treatment of Peri-implant Diseases.”