From the land of the rising Sun, comes yet another higher education institute that has become synonyms with top-notch medical and dental sciences education. Niigata University operates with the ideals of autonomy and creation based on the traditions of simplicity and modesty fostered in the lofty ambition and the enterprising spirit. The university has contributed to the steady development of the region and the world through education and research as its purpose. Niigata University seeks to train its students with a high sense of integrity and creativity, endeavoring to build a closer connection, not only with the local community but also in a global society. Under Niigata University operates - the Faculty of Dentistry Niigata University which is the third-oldest national dental school in Japan and Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences.
The Faculty of Dentistry Niigata University
The Faculty of Dentistry Niigata University, located in the center of Niigata City, the largest city on the west coast of Mainland Japan, was established in 1965 and is the third-oldest national dental school in Japan. “We have two programs in the Faculty of Dentistry. One is for dentists (Department of Dentistry: 6 years) and another is for Oral hygienists and social workers (Department of Oral Health and Welfare: 4 years). At the Department of Dentistry, we provide many unique educational courses for our students using advanced and unique learning materials such as virtual slide systems for histology and pathology, virtual reality and augmented reality simulation and originally developed comprehensive simulation models for clinical skills training. To foster our students’ self-learning ability, we are adopting small group discussions, PBL, Portfolios and student’s self-assessment. In particular, efforts are being put into clinical training which is another important aspect of our teaching curriculum. In the Department of Oral Health and Welfare, the programs are provided in full PBL style”, elaborates Prof. Takeyasu Maeda, DDS., Ph.D., the Dean, Niigata University.
The aim of our programs is to train specialists with a high level of knowledge and expertise in oral care, eating and swallowing functions that can comprehensively think and manage health care, medical care, and welfare. Adding about the research activities of the institute, Prof. Maeda says, “We conduct research on all sorts of