Perspectives on a New Educational System for Dental Hygiene Students in Japan

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to report changes to dental hygiene education in Japan and to evaluate the successful implementation of these changes in 2010. The legislative change that began in 2005 revised the length of education for dental hygiene students from two years to three or four years (the mandate was three years), which has led to a dramatic change in program curriculum. After a ive-year moratorium, a new curriculum has been established for dental hygiene education in Japan. The new curriculum provides students the requisite knowledge to effectively perform the latest dental hygiene procedures. Although the change of the educational system from the present mandatory three-year to the new four-year programs poses many administrative problems, we believe this shift will ultimately provide a more thorough and in-depth education for students.

Perceived stress and career planning awareness of Japanese and Taiwanese undergraduate dental hygiene students

“…In such a society, dental hygienists (DHs) are expected to play wider roles to enhance patients' quality of life and help them retain more teeth. 6 , 7 With the growing need and importance of DHs’ roles and skills, Japan started a university-level dental hygiene education program in 2004 to meet these needs. 7 , 8 A predictable outcome of these expanding roles and expectations increased the educational contents, which might have increased stress for dental hygiene students.…”

Curriculum of gross anatomy education in Korean dental hygiene programs: Perceptions of clinical dental hygienists

“…In Japan, a one‐year dental hygiene education program began in 1949, and was reorganized into a two‐year course in 1983. The school system was changed from a two‐year course to a course lasting three to four years in 2005 (Hikiji et al, 2011). Dental hygiene education was started in Korea in 1965 by Dr. Heun‐Taik Jhee based on that provided in the United States.…”

“…In Japan, a one-year dental hygiene education program began in 1949, and was reorganized into a two-year course in 1983. The school system was changed from a two-year course to a course lasting three to four years in 2005 (Hikiji et al, 2011) (Kim, 2003;Mann, 2011;Chung et al, 2015;Noh et al, 2019).…”

“…The minimum course requirements for the Japanese dental hygiene education program include: "Structure and function of the human body" (4 credits) and "Structure and function of teeth and mouth" (5 credits). The "Principles of mastication and swallowing" course (3 credits in theory and 1 credit in practice) is also included in the dental hygiene education program of Kyushu Dental College (Hikiji et al, 2011).…”