Abstract
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has assigned “prefectural designated cancer hospitals.” In cases where a university hospital is designated, it should also fulfill the role of training human resources responsible for cancer care, which is an important original role of a university.
The Okayama University Hospital established a division of hospital dentistry in 2011, one of its aims being to improve the quality of cancer care via oral supportive care. Oral supportive care is actively performed in several types of cancer therapy, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Educational programs were established in this division to educate undergraduate dental students and dental residents regarding oral supportive care. To facilitate gaining exposure beyond their positions and abilities, we allow students in the final year and residents of their respective programs to participate as dental specialists in collaborative groups engaged in various multidisciplinary supportive cancer care efforts in the hospital.
The field of oral supportive care in cancer must continue to be developed as an indispensable area in cancer care. Further development in dentistry requires more general medical knowledge, psychological ability to support patients with cancer, and ability to build good relationships with other occupations; furthermore, a philosophical understanding, such as thanatology, is also required.
These observations apply not only to cancer care but also to dental practitioners contributing to a healthy society with longevity in Japan. Such efforts are necessary to produce young dentists with erudition.
