What are certified orthodontists and mentors?

We are specialists certified by the Japanese Orthodontic Society. The growth of upper and lower jaws is not always favorable. It is important that the upper jaw is in proportion to the lower jaw. The asymmetric growth of jaws can be modified during puberty. The pubertal period is important for controlling the balanced growth of the upper and lower jaws. If abnormal growth and development of jaw bones are left untreated, patients may regret their decision in not having had treatment earlier on in life.

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Orthodontists are not only specialists in orthodontics, but also in facial growth. As a result of their extensive knowledge and experience, they are able to predict and control the growth of both the face and jaws.

For proper occlusal contact between the upper and lower dental arches, the upper and lower jaws and each individual tooth must be correctly aligned. Orthodontists refer to teeth which do not occlude properly as abnormal occlusion or malocclusion. Orthodontists require knowledge of the growth, differentiation, development, dissection and physiological functions of teeth, jaws, and face in order to correct malocclusion. In addition, orthodontists must be adept in the use of technology to provide precise, 3-dimensional movement, and have the skill to correctly induce or control tooth emergence, and also the growth of jaws and facial growth. Today, in countries around the world, including Japan, the treatment of abnormal occlusions are performed by dental specialists with orthodontic skills.The Japanese Orthodontic Society authorizes certification to specialists in Orthodontics in order for them to become certified orthodontists or mentors. Our department has 4 mentors and 7 certified orthodontists.

(March, 2002)

How to qualify as a certified orthodontist or mentor

In order to qualify as a certified orthodontist in Japan: A certified orthodontist must complete at least 6-years of study at a university faculty of dentistry or dental college and accumulate at least 2-years experience in clinical orthodontic training at a university dental hospital. In addition, they must engage in three years of "residency training"under the supervision of a clinical instructor. A mentor must engage exclusively in orthodontic practice for more than 12 years and then must become a certified orthodontist with over three years of orthodontic educational history.

Our department offers the following programs for professional training:

We offer advanced 3-year training programs to orthodontic specialists who will then be accredited in Japan. Our postgraduate students and staff participate in seminars led by celebrated clinicians, educators and researchers from Japan and abroad. The first and second year residents undertake 2,748-hours of professional training, which exceeds the 2,460 hours of training required by the Japanese Orthodontic Society. We also provide our residents with clinical education, wherein they treat 150 orthodontic patients over the course of three years. At the end of the third year of the professional training program, residents undergo an evaluation. The examiners are generally clinical instructors from our department or prominent clinicians from abroad. Certificates (Diplomas ) are awarded to those who pass their final examinations after having completed the required training courses.

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Our department undertakes a strict and fair evaluation of individual students to ensure they have acquired the necessary knowledge, skill and ethics to become orthodontic experts.