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 Belgium & Luxembourg.
Leadership Insights: Q&A with the Belgium & Luxembourg Section Team
In this issue, we interview Prof. Dr. France Lambert (Chair), Prof. Katleen Vandamme (Education Delegate), Prof. Selena Toma (Study Club Coordinator), Dr. Lorenz Seyssens (Young ITI Delegate) and Dr. Axelle Ickroth (Communications Officer).
What inspired you to join the Section Leadership Team?
Prof. Dr. France Lambert (Chair): What inspired me was the opportunity to build a strong, collaborative community and develop projects that contribute to advancing implant patient care. I find great motivation in fostering a shared vision and working collectively to elevate clinical standards while acting as a role model for the next generation.
Prof. Dr. France Lambert, Chair
Educational Background: DDS, University of Liège (2002); Post-graduate Program in Periodontology, University of Liège (2005); PhD in Regenerative Biomaterials (2011); ITI Scholarship, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (2005-2006)
Current Position: Professor and Head of the Department of Periodontology, Oro-dental Surgery and Implant Surgery at the University of Liège; Director of EFP-accredited PG program in periodontology and implant dentistry; Co-director of Dental Biomaterials Research Unit
Professional Experience: 19 years of clinical and academic experience; Past President of Belgian Society of Periodontology (2013-2016); Delegate to European Federation of Periodontology since 2017
ITI Involvement: ITI Member since 2005; ITI Fellow since 2011; Chair of Belux section since 2017; Chair of ITI Scientific Committee since 2025; ITI Scholarship Center since 2024
Fun Fact: Admits to being a bit forgetful—once applied for a passport just two days before flying and left her laptop on a plane!
Prof. Selena Toma (Study Club Coordinator): The opportunity to contribute to a strong, evidence-based community with a passion for continuing education and clinical excellence.
Axelle Ickroth (Communications Officer): It’s more of WHO inspired me. I looked up to the people of the ITI leadership team and enjoyed previous ITI events. I love creating content and combining this with my passion for periodontology and oral implantology.
What project or initiative with the ITI are you most proud of?
France: What I am most proud of is the overall transformation of the ITI in Belgium. Over the years, we have succeeded in moving away from a traditional vision and established a modern, dynamic platform that attracts both younger and more experienced professionals.
Katleen: Use of the ITI Academy in post-graduate education—a great source of clinical guidelines, best practice and evidence-based dentistry.
Selena: Strengthening the ITI Study Club network in Belgium and encouraging young clinicians to take part in meaningful dialogue and peer learning.
Prof. Selena Toma, Study Club Coordinator
Educational Background: DMD; Certified Specialist in Periodontology; PhD in Medical Sciences
Current Position: Director of the Postgraduate Program in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels; EFP Delegate Belgian Society of Periodontology; EFP Executive Officer – EFP President Elect (2028)
Professional Experience: Over 15 years in periodontology and implant dentistry; Specialist in peri-implantitis, osteoimmunology, and systemic impact of periodontal diseases
ITI Involvement: ITI Member since 2015; ITI Fellow since 2018; Study Club Coordinator since 2021; Active in strengthening ITI Study Club network in Belgium
Fun Fact: Passionate about art and enjoys visiting museums whenever she travels; loves cooking and sharing meals with good friends and her two children
What advice would you give to professionals considering involvement with the ITI?
France: Think big, trust yourself and make it happen!
Katleen: “You should have been involved/engaged already yesterday.”
Prof. Katleen Vandamme, Education Delegate
Educational Background: 30 years specializing in implant-supported restorations, implant complications, mechanobiology in implant dentistry, and digital workflow in implant dentistry
Current Position: Professor at UC Louvain in Prosthetic Dentistry – Implant-supported Rehabilitation; Head of Clinic, Section Prosthetic Dentistry at CUSL, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc; President of BVOI (Belgian Association for Oral Implantology) since 2023
Professional Experience: Coordinator of Institute of Osseointegration KU Leuven (2015-2024); Past-President Educational Programme Dentistry KU Leuven; IADR Implantology Research Board member; Congress President ADEE meeting 2024
ITI Involvement: ITI Fellow since 2020; Education Delegate for Belgium & Luxembourg; Super user of ITI Academy at KU Leuven
Fun Fact: Creates engaging and trusting atmospheres through floral art
Selena: Don’t hesitate! ITI is an exceptional platform for learning, sharing, and building long-term professional relationships. It opens doors to growth at every stage of your career.
Share something interesting about yourself outside your professional life.
France: A fun fact about me? I’ve learned to accept that I’m a bit of a noodle—I’m always forgetting things! I once applied for a passport just two days before flying, and another time, I left my laptop on the plane. It’s kind of my trademark now.
Katleen: Generate an engaging and trusting atmosphere through floral art.
Selena: I’m passionate about art, enjoy visiting museums whenever I travel, and love cooking and sharing meals with good friends and my two children, Edouard and Julia.
Lorenz: When I’m not talking-teeth, you’ll likely find me out on the trails with my running shoes and backpack, enjoying adventures through the local hills and forests.
Lorenz Seyssens, Young ITI Delegate
Educational Background: EFP-board certified periodontist from Ghent University (2023)
Current Position: Periodontist working in two private practices; Research affiliation with Université Catholique de Louvain; Focuses on hard and soft tissue regeneration around teeth and implants
Professional Experience: Recent graduate specializing in periodontics with focus on regenerative procedures
ITI Involvement: Joined ITI Leadership team as Young ITI representative in 2025;
Fun Fact: When not talking teeth, you’ll find him out on the trails with running shoes and backpack, enjoying adventures through local hills and forests
Axelle: Many people tell me I have a talent for speaking and presenting. This skill stems from over ten years of drama/theatre training at the Academy. I even won a performance award at age twelve and continued until I was twenty-two.
Axelle Ickroth, Communications Officer
Educational Background: EFP Master’s degree in Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Ghent University (2023); Currently pursuing PhD at Ghent University on “timing of implant placement”
Current Position: Works in two private practices—specialized periodontal practice in Kortrijk and general dental practice in Dendermonde; Supervisor for trainees at university hospitals in Ghent and Brussels; PhD researcher
Professional Experience: 6 months of clinical practice; Published 4 research articles with 5th in submission;
ITI Involvement: Recently joined ITI Leadership Team as Communication Manager;
Fun Fact: Has over ten years of drama/theatre training and won a performance award at age twelve—skills that now serve her well in communication and public speaking
Which ITI core values do you most strongly identify with and why?
France: “United in purpose,” closely followed by “Shaping the future”—because for me, the two go hand in hand. I truly believe in involving others, building projects together, and creating a shared sense of direction. I consider myself a doer who enjoys coming up with new ideas and putting them into action in an inclusive way.
Selena: I particularly identify with collaboration. I believe that interdisciplinary and international collaboration is key to improving patient care and advancing our field. Within ITI, this value resonates with my approach to both leadership and clinical teaching.
The Belgium & Luxembourg 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 remarkable professionals who make the ITI the world’s largest academic organization in implant dentistry.
