Leading Locally – ITI Section Spotlight: Italy

The ITI operates through a global network of Sections that bring professional development opportunities to members in their local regions. Each Section is guided by a dedicated Leadership Team responsible for implementing the ITI’s educational initiatives, fostering community engagement, and promoting excellence in implant dentistry.

In this new feature, the ITI Blog takes a 360° look at both the personal and professional lives of the dedicated leadership teams who drive the ITI’s mission in their respective regions. We’ll explore their professional journeys, their motivations for joining the ITI, and gain insights into the people behind the titles.

Let’s meet the team behind the ITI Section Italy.

Leadership Insights: Q&A with the Italian Section Team

In this issue, we interview Dr. Sergio Piano (Chair), Prof. Pietro Venezia (Education Delegate), Prof. Martina Stefanini (Communications Officer / YITI Delegate), and Dr. Vincenzo Mirisola di Torresanto (Study Club Coordinator).

What inspired you to join the Section Leadership Team?

Dr. Sergio Piano (Chair): ITI is part of my life, and the opportunity to directly contribute to its further development has been felt as something really special! Honoured and excited to be part of the Lead Team, I have to say that when in the 90s I started following ITI, I never imagined that, one day, I would became the Chair of Italian Section….

Prof. Pietro Venezia (Education Delegate): For me, ITI has always been the leading scientific society in the field of implantology. I became involved with ITI by attending my city’s Study Club and always trying to actively contribute. This led to the need to open a second Study Club, also focusing on communications. I was therefore asked to take on the role of Communications Officer for the Italian Section of ITI.

Prof. Martina Stefanini (Comms. Officer / YITI Delegate): I was inspired to join the Italian Section Leadership Team because I genuinely believe in the importance of collaboration, mentorship, and creating a supportive environment where members can grow and thrive. I’ve benefited from the section’s activities in the past — whether through networking, education, and professional development — and I feel it’s time to give back.

Dr. Vincenzo Mirisola di Torresanto (Study Club Coordinator): My main motivation was to be part of a dynamic team, fostering collaboration and exchange of ideas within the ITI community in Italy.

What project or initiative with the ITI are you most proud of?

Sergio: Among others, I’m specially proud of these 2 initiatives: ITI Study Club Day, created by our Lead Team: all Italian Study Clubs set an event on the same day, highlighting the power and the network potential of Study Club organization; ITI Study Lab, a ‘spin-off’ of my ITI Study Club: members dental technicians meet in a parallel room during a Study Club event and discuss lab topics; then we have an aperitif all together.

Pietro: The Italian section was the first in the world to include communications expenditure in its budget and to begin using social media to publicize its events. This contributed to the success of the ITI Annual General Meeting in Rome. Another major success was the 2024 Study Club Day.

Martina: The project I’m most proud of is definitely related to communication. I served as the Communication Officer within the Lead Team, and I believe I brought a fresh approach to the Italian Section’s Instagram page. I collaborated with an external professional — a woman — and together we gave the page a new identity. The idea was to give the account a soul, by showcasing the people who are part of our Section and who truly represent the core of ITI.

Vincenzo: Study Club Day 2025, an innovative project held in Italy for the first time, and in which I had an important role.

What advice would you give to professionals considering involvement with the ITI?

Sergio: My advice to professionals considering involvement with the ITI is to approach it with an open mind and a genuine passion for continuous learning and collaboration. ITI gives a unique opportunity of education, where the highest standards in evidence-based implant dentistry are pursued in a friendly atmosphere. Additionally, I recommend embracing the core values of the ITI—such as excellence, integrity, and collaboration—as guiding principles in private practice.

Pietro: I would tell them that becoming an ITI member is an absolutely correct choice. The solid scientific foundation on which the training is based, the widespread and global network, and the possibility of easily accessing a vast array of information in the field of implantology and prosthetics make the ITI unique.

Martina: To young professionals approaching the ITI, I would definitely recommend actively participating in in-person congresses and becoming an active member of the nearest Study Club to get to know our Fellows. The ITI is looking for new young talents to grow, so I encourage those who are interested to come forward, introduce themselves, and speak directly with the Lead Team to receive guidance and suggestions for their professional development.

Vincenzo: Be proactive and engage with the ITI community: you will find inspiration, knowledge, and colleagues who share the same passion for excellence in patient care.

Which ITI core values do you most strongly identify with and why?

Sergio: I love the following: ‘We foster a global, inclusive community built on trust, friendship, and diverse perspectives’. These values align with my personal and professional philosophy: to pursue ongoing education and to foster a spirit of teamwork, always aiming to improve patient care and contribute meaningfully to the dental community.

Pietro: Strong evidence-based dentistry, with great attention to the reliability of new technologies.

Martina: The ITI core value I most strongly identify with is its international network. For me, this is the most important aspect of the organization. The ITI is a truly global foundation, and this widespread presence is absolutely unique in the scientific landscape. It allows for the exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge across borders, creating a rich, diverse, and inspiring community.

Vincenzo: I strongly identify with collegiality and scientific integrity, as sharing knowledge within a trusted, evidence-based community is key to advancing our field.

Share something interesting about yourself outside your professional life.

Sergio: In addition to my passion for teeth and implants, I love to take care of interior design, of which I’m a great fan and a good expert. I also like to practice sports such as running and in particular skiing during the winter.

Pietro: I love golf and music.

Martina: I work in a very male-dominated professional world, but I live in an all-female household! I’m the proud biological mother of three girls, and I also have a non-biological daughter who is now a grown woman. Life with four daughters is full of energy, learning, and laughter!

Vincenzo: I love to go fishing with my two sons.

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The Italian leadership team exemplifies the ITI’s commitment to excellence in implant dentistry through education, research, and community building. Their diverse backgrounds and shared passion for advancement in the field continue to drive the Section’s growth and impact across the region.

Stay tuned for our next Section Spotlight, where we’ll introduce you to more of the sections.