Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Health

Preventive Dentistry is aimed at controlling the onset of oral disease. Current concepts emphasize dental care as a partnership between the dentist and the patient, as jointly determined by a combination of professional expertise and patient cooperation.
Public health dentistry focuses on dental health care delivery, not on the community as a whole.
The Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Health is concerned with the role of the dentist and the dental profession, and methods of prevention applicable at both community and individual levels.

Undergraduate Course

The students are trained to understand the philosophy and need for preventive dentistry by developing the students’ concept of self-motivation, knowledge of dental diseases and abnormalities, application of the principles of fluoridation, nutrition, patient and home care. Skills are developed for effective oral hygiene with reference to disclosing agents, tooth brushing, flossing, oral physiotherapy aids and topical fluorides.
Likewise, students develop knowledge, skills and personal qualities necessary for effective interpersonal communication in the dental setting. These cover interviewing and history-taking skills, non-verbal cues, patient anxiety reduction and psychological aspects of patient care.

Postgraduate Course

The Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Health offers a four-years program for graduate students at the level of Doctor of Philosophy in dental Science.
The course includes education and research on prevention of oral diseases, public health measures for the promotion and maintenance of oral health, strategic public health policy planning and management.
Community dentistry field experience is provided through outreach program in health centers, school and communities.

Research subjects:

1. Prevention of oral diseases
2. Epidemiological research on oral diseases (dental caries, periodontal disease, halitosis, malocclusion, oral cancer, etc.)
3. Public health dentistry

1. Public health policy
2. Evaluations of community dental health
3. Delivery of dental care(maternal and child care, school and industrial settings, home-bound bedridden or institutionalized elderly)
4. Dental health care systems in Japan and other countries

4. Behavioral Science and Dentistry

1. Social and psychological factors which influence the prevention, onset and treatment of oral diseases.
2. Modification of oral health behavior and practices among healthy individuals.
3. Relationship between the dentist and patient; the management of pain, fear, anxiety and stress.
4. Diagnosis and management of psychosomatic dental patients.

5. Cariology and fluorides(Utilizing animal experiments)
6. Oriental herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of oral disease.