Japan Dental Association

Message from the President

The Japan Dental Association is the only one comprehensive organization that represents the dental society in Japan, which contributes to protect the people’s dental and oral health through dental care.

Our goal is to promote oral health to enable people eating good meals with their own mouths until the end of their lives. We aim to contribute to the realization of a society of healthy longevity.

In recent years, it has been broadly recognized that the quality of oral health significantly impacts the occurrence of systemic diseases and it has led to better understanding of dentistry.

With increasing awareness of the importance of dental care more than before, we believe that the excellent opportunity has just arrived now to promote our activities of the Japan Dental Association, prefectural and local dental associations properly.

However, Japan's declining birthrate and ageing population are progressing at a rate unparalleled worldwide. The universal health insurance coverage system, which has been in place for over half a century since 1961, is now on the verge of extinction owing to such factors as the surge in medical costs associated with the development of medical technology.

Japan's medical insurance system is a proud and admirable one unparalleled in other countries, that allows any patient in Japan to receive medical/dental care at a low cost through public insurance at any medical/dental institution in Japan. If insurance premiums and fees are increased and the scope of coverage is narrowed, this could lead to a decline in the quality of medical/dental care and deprive the elderly of accessible and reliable medical/dental care. In order to maintain a safe and secure medical/dental care environment, we must protect this system.

“Eat well and live a long, healthy life.” As the origin of the activities that the Japan Dental Association strives for, our approximately 64,000 members will work together to create an environment where the people of Japan can receive dental care with even greater confidence.

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Dr. Hideto Takahashi
President
Japan Dental Association