The “Act on Promotion of Dental and Oral Health” and Initiatives of Local Health Government in Japan

Abstract

  The “Act on Promotion of Dental and Oral Health,” enacted in August 2011, aims to comprehensively advance initiatives to maintain oral health through the prevention of dental diseases, thereby contributing to the improvement of public health. Following its enactment, local governments across Japan began establishing ordinances related to dental health, and Saitama City established its own ordinance in December 2012.

  The Act and ordinance specify that municipalities must implement measures to enable individuals with disabilities to access dental care ; as a result, Saitama City has decided to establish a “Saitama City Oral Health Center” (tentative name). Additionally, measures to prevent dental diseases during pregnancy and to maintain and improve oral functions in older adults were also specified, leading the city to launch new dental health checkups for pregnant women and elderly individuals aged 71 years and above.

  While various dental health initiatives, such as life stage-based dental checkups, have previously been implemented based on various legal grounds, the establishment of the basic Act on Dental and Oral Health and the corresponding ordinances following discussions in the National and Local Legislatures have strengthened dental and oral health measures led by local governments, improving the accessibility of these services to residents.