Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene (J Korean Soc Dent Hyg)
Review Article

Dental hygienist education in a super-aging society: development of gerodontology education in Japan

1Department of Oral Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Meikai University
2Department of Pediatric Dentistry・Special Needs Dentistry, Institute of Science Tokyo

Correspondence to Yu-Jeong Shin, Department of Oral Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Meikai University, Akemi 1, Urayasu, Chiba 279-8550, Japan. Tel: +81-47-355-5111, E-mail: shin.y.8de1@m.isct.ac.jp

Volume 25, Number 6, Pages 465-71, December 2025.
J Korean Soc Dent Hyg 2025;25(6):465-71. https://doi.org/10.13065/jksdh.2025.25.6.1
Received on December 11, 2025, Revised on December 15, 2025, Accepted on December 17, 2025, Published on December 30, 2025.
Copyright © 2025 Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0).

Abstract

Objectives: Japan’s rapid transition into a super-aging society has reshaped oral health needs and dental hygiene education. This study aims to examine the evolution of Japan’s gerodontology and dental hygiene education within the context of long-term care reforms and expanding professional roles. Methods: A literature-based review was conducted by synthesizing national policies, legal regulations, and educational guidelines to analyze structural changes in gerodontology education. Results: Policy reforms, particularly the establishment and revision of the long-term care Insurance system accelerated. Educational reforms followed these systemic changes, culminating in the 2022 Educational Principles of Dental Hygienist in Gerodontology. However, persistent challenges remain, including limited clinical training sites, shortages of qualified instructors, inconsistencies in practicum content, and insufficient interprofessional education. Conclusions: Japan’s experience demonstrate the importance of aligning gerodontology education. These findings suggest that Korea would benefit from standardized, competency-based gerodontology curriculum to better prepare practitioner for an aging society.

Keywords

Dental hygiene education, Dental hygienist, Gerodontology, Japanese dental education

Section