Abstract
In June 2007, the "Declaration of Promotion of Shokuiku" was announced for parties concerned in dentistry. The declaration emphasizes the importance of promoting Shokuiku activities. An adequate eating manner including tasting and relaxing habits through the five senses must be encouraged by accumulating knowledge and experience. It also indicates that diet becomes sound mental and physical nourishment with the aid of obtained knowledge and experience of foods and eating manner, resulting in a rich humanity.
The "Eating manner" as the core of the Shokuiku promoted by the field of dentistry usually develops in response to the growth of oral region during infantile and schoolchild periods. The oral health during these periods is generally taken under the charge of pediatric dentists. Therefore, pedodontists are required to share the promotion of Shokuiku, mainly 'the eating manner,' for both children and their parents during functional development including chewing, drinking and tasting habits.
Shokuiku in childhood is desirable, which should begin with the manner of eating, to encourage adequate masticating habits for development of the five senses and/or an eating manner such as tasting and relaxing, in accordance with the degree of growth and development during individual stages of life including conventional so-called mother and child health as well as school health periods.
