2020 Academic Year

Application and Admission Guidelines

Dentistry

Master’s Course

(For students enrolling in April 2020)

Tohoku University

Graduate School of Dentistry

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Applicant Guidelines

1. Admissions policy

The missions of Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry are to contribute to the progress and

development of dentistry by promoting creative and innovative research, and to enhance the health and

welfare of all mankind.

The goal of education and research at our graduate school is to cultivate a scientific mind that

constantly questions and investigates all phenomena. To this end, we strive to produce researchers,

medical professionals, educators and administrative officers equipped with high-level specialized

knowledge and skills, as well as exceptional insights, who will play an active role not only in the regional

community and within Japan, but also in the broader global community.

The Master’s course seeks individuals who have diverse and specialized academic knowledge and

skills related to oral health, hygiene and public health, health science, speech and language therapy,

medical sociology, agriculture, engineering, science, and food and nutritional science, and who are willing

to carry out active research into dentistry and oral science.

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2. Educational course, major field and enrollment quota

(1) Major and enrollment quota

Major Quota Remarks

Dentistry Limited

Number

Includes all general screening, special screening for

adult applicants, and special screening for overseas

students for both first and second recruitments

(2) Educational course and major field

Applicants must select either one of the educational courses (1) through (3) shown in Table A.

Table B illustrates the relationship between the major field and the educational courses. However,

you do not always need to follow these examples; please select your major field freely.

See the end of the book for details of the research carried out in various major fields.

Table A: Educational courses

(1)

Course for co-dental personnel: This is an academic field relating to the practice of a

team approach in advanced dental care, as well as the practice of advanced professional

oral hygiene management and guidance. The course mainly targets nurses, dental

hygienists, dental technicians, speech-language-hearing therapists, those with a B.A. in

welfare, etc., who either have graduated from a university or have qualifications

comparable to college graduation. This is a course for acquiring specialized knowledge and

skills needed as an advanced professional involved with dental care and oral hygiene, or

as an educator and instructor in these fields.

(2)

Oral health course: This is an academic field relating to oral health and oral health

promotion measures. It mainly targets nurses, health nurses, nutritionists, dental

hygienists, nursing teachers, those with a B.A. in welfare, and people related to public

health administration, etc., who either have graduated from a university or have

qualifications comparable to college graduation. This is a course for acquiring specialized

knowledge and skills needed for devising measures on oral health and promotion of oral

health, or for their execution, education, and/or instructions.

(3)

Course for dental equipment and functional foods development: This is an academic

field relating to the research and development of dental equipment, materials and

technologies, as well as functional foods for preventing oral diseases and for fostering

healthy oral cavities, etc. It mainly targets those with a bachelor’s degree in engineering,

science, and agriculture, as well as nutritionists, dental hygienists and other personnel who

have either graduated from a university or have qualifications comparable to college

graduation. This is a course for acquiring specialized knowledge and skills needed as an

advanced professional working in corporations, etc., and engaging in the research and

development of dental equipment and materials, new technologies, as well as functional

foods for preventing oral diseases and fostering healthy oral cavities, or as a researcher

and educator working in university dentistry departments of dental universities, etc., in

academic fields such as dentistry science and engineering, etc.

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Table B: Major field and its related educational course

Department Major Field Educational

courses that are

chiefly related

Department Major Field Educational

courses that

are chiefly

related

Oral Biology Oral Ecology and

Biochemistry

(3) Oral Health

and

Development

Sciences

Craniofacial

Anomalies

(1) (2)

Dental

Pharmacology

(3) International Oral

Health

(1) (2)

Oral Microbiology (3) Oral Medicine

and Surgery

Oral Pathology (2)

Periodontology and

Endodontology

(1) (2) Oral Diagnosis (1) (2)

Oral Molecular

Bioregulation

(3) Oral and

Maxillofacial Surgery

(1) (2)

Oral Function

and

Morphology

Oral and Craniofacial

Anatomy

(3) Dento-oral

Anesthesiology

(1)

Dental and Digital

Forensics

(1) (2) Craniofacial

Engineering

and

Regeneration

Craniofacial

Development and

Tissue Biology

(3)

Oral Physiology (2) (3) Craniofacial Function

Engineering (3)

Advanced Prosthetic

Dentistry

(1) (2) (3) Department of

Community

Medical

Supports *1

Community Oral

Health Science

(1) (2) (3)

Aging and Geriatric

Dentistry

(1) (2) (3) Molecular

Pathogenesis

of Oral Tumor

*2

Oral Cancer

Therapeutics

(2)

Comprehensive

Dentistry

(1) (2) Dental nuclear

medicine and

radiology

(2)

Restorative

Dentistry

Dental Biomaterials (1) (3) Intractable

Diseases and

Immunology *2

Intractable Diseases

and Immunology

(2) (3)

Operative Dentistry (1) (3) Advanced

Biomaterials *3

Advanced

Biocompatible

Materials

(3)

Molecular and

Regenerative

Prosthodontics

(1) (3) Advanced

Biofunctional

Materials

(3)

Oral Health

and

Development

Sciences

Preventive Dentistry (1) (2) (3) Biodental

Engineering *4

Biodental

Engineering

(3)

Pediatric Dentistry (1) (2) Immune

Regulation

and Oral

Immunity *5

Immune Regulation

and Oral Immunity

Orthodontics and

Dentofacial

Orthopedics

(1) (2) Geriatric Oral

Science *5

Geriatric Oral

Science

*1 Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization *2 Collaborative Lecture (Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer) *3 Collaborative Lecture (Institute for Materials Research) *4 Collaborative Lecture (Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering) *5 Joint Lecture

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3. Application qualifications

Persons who meet any one of the following requirements are qualified to apply.

(1) Students who have graduated from a university (including those who are expected to so by March

2020)

(2) Students who have been granted a Bachelor’s degree by the National Institution for Academic

Degrees and University Evaluation (including those who are expected to be granted such a degree

by March 2020)

(3) Students who have completed a 16-year program of school education overseas (including those who

are expected to do so by March 2020)

(4) Students who, by taking classes in Japan through correspondence courses offered by a school of a

foreign country, are regarded to have completed a 16-year school education program in said foreign

country, or are expected to do so by March 2020

(5) Students in Japan who have completed a course offered by a university of a foreign country (only

those students who have completed a 16-year program of school education in the country in question)

at an educational facility that is positioned within the country’s educational system and is separately

designated by the Ministry of Education, or will do so by March 2020

(6) Students who have been conferred a degree equivalent to a bachelor's degree (including those who

are expected to be granted such a degree by March 2020) upon completion of a curriculum that has

a course term of three years or longer at a university or other school (limited to schools whose overall

educational and research activities have been evaluated by the relevant country's government or a

government-approved individual, or are designated separately as having met this requirement by the

Minister of Education) in a foreign country (including cases in which the student completed the

curriculum by taking subjects conducted by said school via distance learning while the student resided

in Japan, and cases in which the student has completed a curriculum at an educational facility that is

positioned within that country's educational system as per the previous item).

(7) Students who have completed the specialized course offered at a vocational college (limited to those

that fulfill the criteria designated by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and

Technology including the term of study exceeding 4 or more years) that had been separately

designated by the Minister of Education, at a date after the date designated by the Minister, as well

as those who are expected to do so by March 2020

(8) Students who are designated by the Minister of Education (see 1953 Notification No. 5 by the Ministry

of Education)

(9) Students who have completed 15 years of school education in a foreign country, or has completed 15

years of school education in Japan by taking correspondence courses offered by schools outside

Japan, or has completed a university education by taking courses designated by the Minister of

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in an educational institution in Japan recognized

as adopting the educational system of a foreign country and having the curriculum of that country

(only when the person completing that education is regarded as having completed 15 years of that

country's education), and is recognized by this Graduate School of Dentistry as having obtained the

necessary credits with excellent grades.

(10) Students who have enrolled in the graduate school of another university, in accordance with the

stipulations of Article 102-2 of the School Education Law, and who have been acknowledged to

possess sufficient academic abilities to receive an education at this graduate school

(11) Students who have been certified, through individual entrance qualification screening at this graduate

school, to possess academic abilities either equal to, or exceeding, those who have graduated from

a university program, and who will reach the age of 22 before March 31, 2020

Applicants must undergo an advanced qualification screening for application.

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Please submit the following required documents to the " Graduate School of Dentistry Educational

Records and Programs Section " within an application screening application period.

-Qualification Screening Period: First Recruitment: May 20 (Mon.)-24 (Fri.), 2019

Second Recruitment: October 15 (Tue.)- October 21 (Mon.), 2019

Document Comments

Application Form Form provided by this graduate school. (Write the educational course and

the major field you wish to take.)

Certificate of Graduation

(or expected graduation)

Certificate of graduation or withdrawal from school or student registration

certificate issued by the school (a university or later). Or undergraduate

degree certificate issued by the National Institution for Academic Degrees

and University Evaluation.

Academic Transcript The academic transcript of the school (a university or later) which entered

a school until now.

English ability certificate Score sheet certified by an English ability examination.

TOEFL, IELTS, CET, etc.

Research-activities

report about 500 words of English.

In addition,

documents to specify

Health Certificate (please include X-ray examinations of chest, X-ray taken

more than 6 months prior to the certification is NOT valid)

4. Application Procedures

Obtain the following necessary documents and submit them to the Educational Records and

Programs Section of this graduate school during the Application Period. If sending materials by postal

mail, applicants must use registered mail and print "University Master’s Course Application Enclosed"

on the front of the envelope.

-Application Period: First Recruitment: June 3 (Mon.)-7 (Fri.), 2019

Second Recruitment: November 5 (Tue.)-11 (Mon.), 2019

Document Comments

Examination Ticket

Photo Sheet

Form provided by this graduate school (attach photo to Photo Sheet, taken

within 3 months showing head/upper body, with head uncovered, 5cm high

x 4cm wide)

Application Fee JPY 30,000 (send by postal money order; leave "Payee" field blank and

Western Union)

Notes

(1) It is recommended to contact the professor of your major field about your research plan before

turning in an application.

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(2) Incomplete or otherwise inadequate application documents may not be accepted.

(3) If application documents are found to have been falsified, the applicant's acceptance will be

revoked, even if the applicant has already enrolled.

(4) Application documents and test fees cannot be returned for any reason whatsoever.

(5) Application documents sent by mail will only be accepted if they arrive during the Application

Period.

5. Selection Process

Comprehensive screening will be conducted based on a written examination to be completed in

English (specialized subjects), an interview, and the applicant's academic transcript.

*Applicants should take one specialized subject examination for each desired major field.

6. Date/Time of Examination

-Date: First Recruitment: July 9 (Tue.), 2019

Second Recruitment: December 6 (Fri.), 2019

-Time

Description Examination

Subject Time

Written

Examination

Specialized

Subjects

(Major field)

11:00—12:00

Interview

13:30— (tentative)

7. Examination Venue

Tohoku University School/Graduate School of Dentistry

4-1, Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan

(Details will be provided when exam admission tickets are issued.)

8. Announcement of Successful Applicants

First Recruitment: July 18 (Thu.), 2019 10:00 AM (tentative)

Second Recruitment: December 19 (Thu.), 2019 10:00 AM (tentative)

Examination Numbers of successful applicants will be posted on the bulletin board in front of this

graduate school's Educational Records and Programs Section.

Examinees will also receive a notification of examination results by postal mail.

9. Notes

(1) Handling of Personal Information

1. Personal information gathered in the course of applicant screening shall be used to conduct

relevant operations, such as selecting applicants, enrollment procedures, post-enrollment

scholarships/student welfare and academic advising, or in connection with tuition collection

etc., and shall not be used for any other purpose.

2. Personal information gathered in the course of applicant screening shall be handled in strict

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accordance with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information of Tohoku University, and

shall not be disclosed/provided to third parties without the applicant's consent.

3. By applying to this graduate school, the applicant agrees to all of the above.

(2) Inquiries on Special Considerations regarding Examinations and Education

Applicants requiring special provisions in connection with the examination, or who have special

educational needs, are asked to inquire in writing, making note of the following (no official form

required).

Making such inquiries will not put the applicant at any disadvantage with regards to this graduate

school's entrance examination.

A. Timing of inquiries: In general, inquiries are accepted during the advanced application

qualification screening period.

B. Inquiries should include the following information:

1. Applicants name and address (including telephone number)

2. Name of university etc. last attended

3. Any special provisions desired in connection with the examination

4. Any special educational needs

5. Any special provisions made at the university etc. last attended

6. Any circumstances related to the applicant's day-to-day lifestyle

7. Any other reference material (applicants currently undergoing medical treatment are asked

to include a doctor's diagnosis)

(3) Disclosure of Examination Score

If an applicant wishes his/her examination score disclosed, he/she should submit the designated

application form and his/her examination admission card (a copy is not acceptable) within one

month from the announcement of successful applicants to the Educational Records and Programs

Section of the Graduate School of Dentistry.

* Please note that the applications can be accepted only on weekdays.

* The examination scores can be disclosed only to failed applicants.

(4) If you have any questions, please inquire with this graduate school's Educational Records and

Programs Section.

Tohoku University School/Graduate School of Dentistry Liaison Center for Innovative Dentistry, International Cooperation Section

4-1, Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku,

Sendai, 980-8575, Japan

e-mail: international@dent.tohoku.ac.jp

The Application and Admission Guidelines can also be viewed at the below website.

URL: http://www.dent.tohoku.ac.jp/english/examinate/

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Tohoku University, Graduate School of Dentistry

(Master’s Course)

Admissions Guide

1. Curriculum policy

The Master’s course curriculum, which is designed to provide flexible programs that meet students’

interests, consists of a wide range of basic and specialized subjects, beginning with Introduction to

Dentistry, and covering subjects needed for future dentistry and oral science such as Medical and

Dental Biomaterials, Theory of Medical/Dental Equipment, Food Science, International Dental Health,

and Social Dentistry.

Each student studies under the guidance of more than one instructor. During the first year, students

take Introduction to Dentistry as well as Introduction to Clinical Dentistry and Practical Training at

Hospitals to acquaint themselves with dentistry and dental medicine. In the Special Training for the

Master’s Thesis, which covers the period from the first to second years to the completion of a Master’s

thesis, students study the Basic Theory of Graduate School Research to familiarize themselves with

matters that govern all research, from ethics to technical regulations. They then summarize their

research themes and plans as a Summary of Theme Selection, allowing them to begin research at an

early stage of the Master’s course. These courses allow dental hygienists and technicians, nurses and

other healthcare professionals, as well as graduates in science and engineering, and nutrition and

health, to acquire extensive knowledge and advanced research skills in dentistry and oral science that

will enable them to contribute to maintaining and promoting these areas in public health.

2. Diploma policy

To complete the Master’s course in dentistry, students must be enrolled for two years or more, and

earn 30 credits or more (18 credits or more from compulsory subjects and 12 credits or more from

elective subjects). They must also undergo the necessary research guidance and submit a Master’s

thesis, then pass the evaluation and final examinations to be certified as having completed the course.

If a student is recognized to have made outstanding research achievements, only one year of study

is required. Students who are currently employed or subject to other special circumstances are

permitted to study for more than two years under the planned schedule, during a period to be

determined by the School.

3. Long-Term Student System

Under some circumstances, such as the student being employed (Note 1), the student may request,

and this graduate school may, upon review, grant permission for the student to take and complete (Note

2) an educational program over a planned, fixed period that exceeds the standard course term of two

years.

Those enrolling under this system are called "Long-Term Students," and must pay total tuition fees

equal to those paid by students who complete their studies within the normal course term.

Students who wish to enroll under this system must inquire with this Graduate School of Dentistry's

Educational Records and Programs Section during admission procedures.

(Note 1): In addition to employment, childbirth/child-care, nursing-care, or other reasons may be deemed legitimate by this graduate school.

(Note 2): The term of enrollment must not exceed eight years. However, students may request to shorten their authorized course term.

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4. Enrollment Procedures

Enrollment Procedures are scheduled for mid-March 2020.

Details will be provided in writing along with acceptance notices.

5. Required Fees

Admission Fee JPY 282,000 (est.)

Tuition (Annual sum) JPY 535.800 (est.)

Details on tuition due dates and method of payment will be provided in writing along with acceptance

notices.

The above fees are estimated amounts; if fee amounts are revised at the time of enrollment or during

the term of enrollment, the new fees will become applicable from the time of the revision.

6. Exemption from Entrance and Tuition Fees

Persons recognized as having special difficulties paying entrance/tuition fees due to economic

reasons and who are deemed to have excellent academic records, may be exempted from paying half

or all of their entrance/tuition fees upon application. Students wishing to have entrance/tuition fees

waived or deferred should reference the below:

[The application for entrance fee/tuition waiver, etc.]

http://www2.he.tohoku.ac.jp/menjo/

7. Scholarship System

Scholarships provided by various organizations and the regional government will be announced as

information becomes available.

8. Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (Gakkensai) and Personal Liability Insurance for Students Pursuing Medical Education and Research (Igakubai)

It is the insurance which has imposed a duty of subscription upon all the students in Tohoku University.

Grant of the cost of medical treatment concerning the injury in training, a lecture, attending school, and

extracurricular activities and security at the time of burdening others with an injury or destroying

equipment are carried out.

The insurance premium is JPY2,790 for two years.

9. Inbound Futaigakusou (Supplementary Comprehensive Personal Liability and Accident

Insurance for International Students Enrolled in Gakkensai)

Inbound Futaigakusou is an insurance system that provides around-the-clock, enhanced coverage

for injuries, illnesses, rescue fees, and liability in everyday life, enabling international students to live in

Japan with a greater sense of security. In order to enroll in Inbound Futaigakusou, you must be

enrolled in Gakkensai (Personal Accident Insurance).

All international students entering Tohoku University are asked to enroll in insurance.

Premiums (Examples) (Single payment that covers entire enrolled period) :

2 years JPY 20,130

4 years JPY 37,410

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Major Field/Professor/Main Research Topics

*Applicants are advised to contact their academic advisor before applying.

Department Major Field / Professor / Main Research Topics

Oral Biology

Oral Ecology and Biochemistry

Professor: Nobuhiro Takahashi

The oral cavity forms an ecosystem where the host (humans) and parasites

(microorganisms) cohabit. Disruption of balance of this healthy oral ecosystem leads

dental caries, periodontal diseases and oral malodor. Using leading-edge techniques of

molecular biology, anaerobic experimental systems and the notion of "omics", we conduct

research on the role of oral biofilms in oral health and disease from an oral ecological

viewpoint. In addition, we propel research on caries-preventive effects of fluorides,

sugaralcohols etc, and on parasite-caused deterioration of dental biomaterials. We also

evaluate cariogenicity of food products and provide the information to the society through

governmental agencies. Recently, we have started conducting research on the

metabolism of cancer cells which exhibit a similarity to parasites.

Dental Pharmacology

Professor: Minoru Wakamori

The major goal of our research programs is to elucidate the operating principles of the

body to keep homeostasis on the molecular level by utilizing electrophysiological and

molecular biology techniques. Specifically, we are interested in mechanisms to regulate

intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and transduction mechanisms of oral sensations. By

understanding the actuating mechanisms of various sensors in oral cavity, we can

contribute to the discovery of the even safer dental treatment methods and to improvement

of quality of life in our aged society. In addition, understanding functional mechanisms of

biological sensors will eventually be of great benefit to mechanical engineering and

electronic engineering fields.

Oral Microbiology

Periodontology and Endodontology

Professor: Satoru Yamada

We focus on two major infectious oral diseases, periodontal diseases and endodontic

diseases (pulp and apical periodontal tissue diseases). We are studying on the

mechanism, by which these chronic inflammatory diseases are initiated and developed,

and the developing regenerative therapy for periodontal tissue and pulp-dental complex.

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Oral Molecular Bioregulation

Professor: Shunji Sugawara

Interaction among oral mucosal cells, saliva and immune cells through immune

regulatory factors and cell-to-cell contact is critical for mucosal defense, and dysfunction

(disorder) of the interaction leads to onset of oral mucosal and salivary gland diseases.

We investigate the underlying molecular mechanism to overcome these diseases by

making use of molecular biological and immunological methods.

Moreover, we investigate the innate immune responses induced by the infection with

oral bacteria, especially the enhancement or failure of immunological homeostasis in the

oral mucosa.

Oral Function and

Morphology

Oral and Craniofacial Anatomy

Professor: Hiroyuki Ichikawa

Our division has research themes about the human anatomy, particularly focused on

oral structures. The morphology of human and other mammalians is also compared. In

addition, we are interested in motor, sensory and autonomic systems of oro-facial regions.

For this purpose, the distribution and function of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and

others substances is investigated in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Morphometric methods are used for these anatomical and microscopic studies.

Dental and Digital Forensics

Professor: Keiichi Sasaki (collateral office)

Forensic dentistry is the science concerning the application of dental evidence to the

resolution of legal problems. We aim to integrate the advanced knowledge and skills of

information science into conventional research methods in forensic dentistry. Our

division is the first and only one laboratory in the northern Japan, engaged in research and

education of forensic dentistry. The education goal of the division is that the students

gain knowledge and understanding of the process of forensic dentistry in Japan and of

personal identification using dental records or skeletal remains.

Oral Physiology

Professor: Junichi Nakai

Oral physiology concentrates on the research on neural or biological processes in the

oro-facial functions. We perform functional imaging experiments in animals,

psychophysical experiments in humans, and cell-level experiments by using molecular

biological techniques. Our research themes are as follows: 1) Neural mechanisms of

sensory and motor system, 2) Psychophysical studies on gustatory function and oral fat

sensitivity, 3) Molecular mechanisms of mechanical stress reception in periodontal tissues,

4) Molecular mechanisms of differentiation, regeneration, and apoptosis in osteoblasts

and neurons.

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Advanced Prosthetic Dentistry

Professor: Keiichi Sasaki

The research and education of this division cover wide range of prosthodontic fields

involving biomechanics, mechanobiology, stomatognathic function, and biomaterials. Our

purpose is to restore, reconstruct and maintain the form and function of stomatognathic

system. We are developing new treatment technology involving the use of implants,

transplants, regenerative techniques and reconstructive techniques in addition to

conventional dental prosthetic techniques. We also conduct various activities for

biological, epidemiological and biomaterial researches based on biomechanics and

mechanobiology at the interfaces between prostheses, biomaterials and the living body.

We are developing various novel biomaterials, technologies and equipment collaborated

with other disciplines in Tohoku University and other organizations. We hope to contribute

the good quality of life (QOL) for people.

Aging and Geriatric Dentistry

Professor: Yoshinori Hattori

Close cooperation with numerous different professions, including medical, nursing-care,

and welfare workers, is strongly desired to provide adequate oral health care service to

the elderly people in Japan; however, inter-professional collaboration in health and social

care is far from a reality, and so many elderly people suffer impaired QoL due to various

oral health issues. We are exploring realistic ways of multidisciplinary oral health care

through dental practices for both hospitalized and home-bound patients. We study the

interrelation between oral and systemic health through large-scale longitudinal

epidemiological research on the one hand; on the other, we work in developing effective

intervention methods for the maintenance and rehabilitation of oral functions of the elderly

people.

Comprehensive Dentistry

Professor: Masahiko Kikuchi

The department of comprehensive dentistry aims to develop superior primary care in

general dentistry and also practices the management of clinical training program for post

graduate residents. Furthermore, basic and clinical research projects regarding

periodontal regeneration, dental pain and oral hygiene are being conducted with the

graduate students of this department.

Restorative

Dentistry

Dental Biomaterials

Professor: Osamu Suzuki (collateral office)

The members of our division develop the various dental materials and devices that are

equipped with new functions required for dental cares. We aim at upgrading of the dental

treatment quality through the wide range of our investigations from forming and process

to degradation and safety of the materials and devices under the oral conditions.

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Operative Dentistry

Professor: Masahiro Saito

Our laboratory is interested in the development of therapeutic technology for connective

tissue disease including periodontal disease and aortic aneurysm. One goal is to establish

extracellular matrix (ECM) administration therapy that achieve connective tissue

regeneration by using bioactive ECM which play an essential role in the development and

regeneration of periodontal tissue and aortic aneurysms, and attenuate the signaling

events that mediate tissue degradation. A second major interest of our laboratory is to

establish cell transplantation therapy for the treatment of periodontal disease. Our initial

approach has been to study bone regeneration ability of alveolar bone derived immature

osteoblast and adipose derived stem cell to evaluate as a source of cell transplantation

therapy. We have been developed clinical protocol of cell transplantation therapy for

establishing regeneration of large periodontal tissue defect.

Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics

Professor: Hiroshi Egusa

Our major research focus is the development of next-generation biotechnology to

regenerate missing alveolar bone and teeth for functional and esthetic rehabilitation using

cells and biomimetic materials. Research projects in our laboratory combine techniques

and approaches from stem cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, chemical biology,

osteoimmunology and biomaterials science.

Oral Health and

Development

Science

Preventive Dentistry

Professor: Takeyoshi Koseki

The basics of physical and mental health are based upon sound function of the mouth.

To maintain the most appropriate function of the mouth, we need to aware and to pursue

the importance of oral health, in the various viewpoints beyond specialty of dentistry. The

fields of our researches are spread from basic sciences to clinical applications for

nationwide promoting oral health, through the cooperation with citizen, workers in

medicine, healthcare, welfare, and nursing care, and political sectors.

Pediatric Dentistry

Professor: Satoshi Fukumoto

Our division promotes clinical, basic and epidemiological research for tooth

development, tooth trauma, mucosal disease to create healthy oral environment in

children.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics

Professor: Itaru Mizoguchi

One of the clinical dental department that focus on a research related to the diagnosis

and treatment of abnormal morphological and functional occlusion. Our aim is to develop

a new diagnosis and treatment methods of orthodontics and to elucidate craniofacial

growth mechanics, by various clinical and basic scientific research.

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Craniofacial Anomalies

Professor: Kaoru Igarashi

Our division is a clinical dentistry field specializing in research on the diagnosis and

treatment of craniofacial anomalies, such as cleft lip and palate. Other research themes

include basic studies on bone and development of new biomaterials.

International Oral Health

Professor: Ken Osaka

Our research field is local communities; we have conducted a large scale survey of

community people and their health in collaboration with the leading research institutes in

the world. Our research topics are health inequality, social capital and public health.

Oral Medicine and

Surgery

Oral Pathology

Professor: Hiroyuki Kumamoto

Since various oral lesions are macroscopically and microscopically observed, the

etiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and outcome are analyzed.

Oral Diagnosis

Professor: Tetsu Takahashi (collateral office)

Oral diagnosis is a clinical science to consider the oral disease comprehensively with

the overall information obtained from an interview to the patient, the clinical findings and

the diagnostic images. Our current research fields are particularly focused on the

diagnosis of taste disease, dry mouth, oral mucosal diseases and chronic pain.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Professor: Tetsu Takahashi

Functions of jaw and mouth such as digestion, swallowing, pronunciation, and the taste,

are the most important functions of human beings. Furthermore, a part of facial

configuration is constituted and expression of the person's individuality is influenced

greatly.

In the oral and maxillofacial area, various diseases such as facial trauma, inflammation,

cysts, tumors, developmental abnormality, salivary-glands diseases, temporomandibular

joint diseases could occur.

These diseases causes serious obstacle for functions of jaw and mouth.

In our division, we study researches on the diagnostic method and treatment modalities

of such diseases, and perform the surgical reconstruction of the functions and morphologis

of oral and maxillofacial area.

Dento-oral Anesthesiology

Professor: Kentaro Mizuta

The research interests of our division is focused on removal and /or reduction of any

stress responses arising from surgery and dental treatment to improve quality of life of

patients at pre, during and post operative and treatment periods. The controls of those

stress responses include prevention of postoperative pain and nausea vomiting which are

very complicated and difficult to treat, resulting in improvement of treatment outcome for

underling disease.

16

Craniofacial

Engineering and

Regeneration

Craniofacial Development and Tissue Biology

Professor: Yasuyuki Sasano

We have been investigating the process of structuring the cellular and extracellular

architecture and advancing calcification of bones and teeth during development and

healing focusing on metabolism of extracellular matrices.

Craniofacial Function Engineering

Professor: Osamu Suzuki

We are focusing on the fundamental science and the applied research for hard tissue

regeneration with the biomaterial science and engineering. In particular, 1) bone

regeneration using biomaterials, such as synthetic octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and

hydroxyapatite (HA); 2) device development for 3D cell culture, and 3) development of the

drug and the gene delivery methods.

Department of

Community

Medical Supports

(Tohoku Medical

Megabank

Organization)

Community Oral Health Science

Professor: Akito Tsuboi

Progress of low fertility, high life expectancies and nuclear family tendency facilitates to

reduce connectivity between members in a local community and family, and then to bring

about a deterioration of functions for community. This weakened community function leads

us to construct a sustainable health support system. Our division aims at clarifying a factor

influencing to maintain and promote the oral and general health, based on a large-scale

genome cohort study providing health, medical and genomic information of human as well

as microbiome in the human body.

Molecular

Pathogenesis of

Oral Tumor

(Collaborative

Department)

Oral Cancer Therapeutics

Professor: Hisanori Horiuchi

It is widely known that Small GTPases regulate cell proliferation/movement, and

intracellular membrane traffic as molecular switches. We are investigating to elucidate

roles of small GTPases in the regulation of tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis

Dental nuclear medicine and radiology

Professor: Yasuyuki Taki

It is important to preserve our cognitive function for entire life by preventing us from

pathological brain aging in a super-aging society like Japan. In the situation, we aim to

understand the recent researches for the relationship between dental issues and

dementia, and also understand the methodology of brain MRI image analysis.

Intractable

Diseases and

Immunology

(Collaborative

Department)

Intractable Diseases and Immunology

Professor: Koetsu Ogasawara

Refractory systemic diseases often show initial lesions in the mouth. However, the

relationship between intractable diseases and the onset of lesions in the oral cavity is not

well understood. In our laboratory, we examine the immune responses related from oral

diseases, to elucidate the pathogenesis of intractable diseases.

17

Advanced

Biomaterials

(Collaborative

Department)

Advanced Biocompatible Materials

We are conducting research on the development of new biocompatible materials,

physical-chemical surface structure processing techniques to promote integration to

tissue, and artificial hybrid tissues, in order to construct human tissue.

Advanced Biofunctional Materials

Research and development of materials with similar functionality to that of living tissue,

which enhance and activate the functionality of the regenerated tissue are being carried

out in order to establish the function of the regenerated tissue. For putting such materials

into practice, with focusing on metallic materials, development of new alloys used for

replacing failed bone and dental implants, and studies on development of their mechanical

performance, bio-functionality, and biocompatibility are progressed.

Bio-Dental

Engineering

(Collaborative

Department)

Bio-Dental Engineering

Professor: Shinji Kamakura

Teeth are worked enough when the root of a tooth is surrounded by intact bone tissue.

If the bone around the teeth were broken by suffering oral and dental diseases, such as

periodontal diseases, congenital anomalies, and jaw tumors, several problems including

masticatory disturbance would be evoked. The division aims to regenerate bone that was

lost by oral and dental diseases with applying biomaterials, and recover the functional

disturbances. Furthermore, the division has managed both basic and applied research

with considering a low-burden treatment for patients.

Immune

Regulation and

Oral Immunity

(Cooperative

Department）

Immune Regulation and Oral Immunity

Affiliate Professor: Satoshi Takaki

The oral mucosa is a front line of host defense system against microbes and hazardous

antigens. It also becomes targets of inflammation caused by autoimmune or allergic

responses. Immune regulation of oral immunity is critical issue to control infections and

keep Quality of Life (QOL) of disease patients. We are investigating, 1) Signal transduction

and regulation by microenvironments operating in the host defense system, 2)

Mechanisms for the production of autoantibodies involved in the disease development and

maintenance of autoimmune disorders including Sjögren syndrome, 3) Regulations for the

maintenance and expansion of tissue stem cells, to manipulate and regulate immune

responses in oral mucosa.

Geriatric Oral

Science

(Cooperative

Department）

Geriatric Oral Science

Affiliate Professor: Kenji Matsushita

Affiliate Professor: Shumpei Niida

Our country is the leading protracted-life society in the world and maintenance of quality

of life (QOL) is an important issue socially. In our department, we study about bone and

joint disorders to which QOL of elderly people is reduced. In addition, we study oral and

dental biology and develop prevention strategies and novel treatments for dental caries

and periodontal diseases are major disorders which lead to tooth loss, We adopt an

integrated approach to the problem of tooth loss in elderly people .In particular, we define

the etiology of periodontal diseases that affect age-related disorders and lifestyle related

disease.