Abstract
Drastic changes in our society, such as the tendency to ingest large amounts of fast foods and supplements, which are soft in texture and require minimal chewing, and the habit of skipping breakfast have resulted in a serious impact on our health. On the other hand, recent studies confirm and/or suggest that sufficient mastication of chewy, tough, crunchy, and tasty foods leads to a promotion of mental and physical growth, activation and relaxation of the brain, diminishment of carcinogenicity of the carcinogens contained in the food, elimination of active oxygen, suppression of obesity, enhancement of the treatment efficacy of diabetes, improvement of motor function, suppression of osteoporosis, and rehabilitation effects on brain injuries and/or aging. Based on these conditions, the necessity of a healthy occlusion is emphasized. In consideration of the future of our health, medical care, and welfare, the recovery of masticatory function, which is the main goal of dental clinical treatment, is essential. Japan Prosthodontic Society, which has been advocating this idea, has a significant role and responsibility in this area. For the science-based administrative policy to be executed, establishing and demonstrating the diagnosis of the masticatory function and the promotion of closely coordinated researches with medicine, dietetics, pharmacology, and engineering along with clinical practice are essential. With its wide range of specialties, Japan Prosthodontic Society has a signifficant role in this scheme.
