Abstract In our previous paper, we investigated the state of student enrollment at institutions specializing in the training and education of dental hygienists as part of the junior college curriculum, as well as the current situation with regard to student enrollment support. As a result, it was shown that a majority of students cited a shortage of credits due to poor performance as the primary reason for taking leave from their studies, with no major changes in the rate of leave-taking arising due to differences in either the year of study or the year surveyed. In addition, it was reported that the proportion of permanent withdrawal was highest in the first year of study, and that academic course changes were cited by a majority as the reason for withdrawal. In the present study, based on the findings of the previous paper, we considered the efficacy and impact of student enrollment support measures in relation to student leave-taking and withdrawal.

 Data were analyzed relating to the number of students who took leave or permanently withdrew from their studies at 11 junior colleges between the 2009 and 2012 academic years, taking into account enrollment support measures in place at each school. The relationship between rates of leave-taking and permanent withdrawal and the presence or absence of active support measures at each school was examined, and a statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test.

 As a result, it was found that management of student affairs and specific learning support such as “ensuring familiarity with learning support systems” and “extra-curricular initiatives (such as make-up classes)” were somewhat effective for reducing leave-taking in the first and second year of study. Conversely, with regard to permanent withdrawal, it was found that “first-year educational implementation” in some cases prompted students to rethink their course of study, suggesting this was a potential factor serving to increase the rate of permanent withdrawal. In addition, it was found that “the utilization of health centers and similar facilities for mental health services” had the potential effect of lowering rates of student permanent withdrawal in the third and final year of study.

 Abstract Dentists can diagnose most dental diseases using only information obtained verbally from patients. However, it is possible to obtain information in the mouth and by X-ray, so there is ambiguity regarding the basis of linguistic information.

 We tried to clarify necessary linguistic information to reach a diagnosis of acute pericoronitis of wisdom tooth. We investigated whether there were differences in recognition among beginners and experts, and considered the linguistic information obtained from the differences between learning and clinical experience.

 We conducted a questionnaire survey on 25 items of linguistic information using the Likert scale ranging from “5 : A positive diagnosis of acute pericoronitis of wisdom tooth” to “1 : A negative diagnosis of acute pericoronitis of wisdom tooth”. We analyzed statistically whether or not there are differences depending on clinical experience.

 The analysis showed that information which can help dentists diagnose acute pericoronitis of wisdom tooth includes : “my gums are swollen”, “hard to open the mouth”, “lymph nodes are swollen”, “painful on swallowing saliva”, and “impacted tooth”.

 By classifying the results into two groups according to the clinical experience of the dentist, a significant difference was observed in 12 items of language information. This result shows that dentists having a variety of clinical experience can recognize patterns more accurately.

 Abstract In 2014, Fukuoka Dental College committed to improving the communication of course results to students, in line with the stated objectives of the Acceleration Program for University Education Rebuilding (AP) Theme II―Visualization of Academic Results released by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The College will conduct a review of how individual achievements and specific academic outcomes are communicated to students during the six-year bachelor degree course. A questionnaire-style survey of students and dental interns was used to provide base data for the communication. Like most other universities, Fukuoka Dental College publishes its diploma policy on the university website. The diplomacy policy is also printed in the student handbook, in promotional materials and on registration and application forms and elsewhere. Yet despite these efforts to ensure that the diploma policy is widely available in the public domain and readily accessible to university staff, students and applicants, the survey revealed low awareness of the policy and of gakushi-ryoku, the minimum level of general knowledge and skills that students are expected to acquire through undergraduate education.

 Better communication of academic outcomes is predicated on a proper understanding of the diploma policy at Fukuoka Dental College as well as the gakushi-ryoku requirements prescribed by the Central Education Council. First-year students and trainee dentists in particular are keen to receive structured feedback on their academic outcomes. Accordingly, the main focus during this period will be on promoting awareness and understanding of the diploma policy at Fukuoka Dental College and the gakushi-ryoku.

 Abstract Dentists are required to adjust the force they apply at an appropriate level for each procedure. Therefore, it is essential for dental students and trainee dentists to manage the dental force and to learn dental treatment techniques. Our previous report revealed clear differences in dental forces applied by instructors and students. This study investigated the process of learning the dental force in postgraduate clinical training. The dental forces applied by 22 trainee dentists were measured at the early stage (June) and the late stage (February) using a custom-made dental mannequin equipped with a digital force gauge (IMADA) under the mandible. Periodontal pocket examination (PPE), gingival retraction (GR), removing subgingival calculus (SRP), tooth extraction (EXT), impression for full denture (FD) and full metal crown mounting (FMC) were selected for the dental force measurements as frequent dental procedures. The median peak forces for PPE, GR, SRP and EXT and the maximum values of FD and FMC were recorded at each stage and analyzed with statistical methods such as the Wilcoxon signed-rank test or Mann-Whitney U test. As a result, significant differences were found in the data for EXT and FD. However, there were no significant differences concerning PPE, GR, SRP and FMC. It was suggested that the trainee dentists could improve their dental force management through clinical experience in postgraduate clinical training.

 Abstract In Japan today, it has become important to create a society in which women are fully empowered. The number of women dentists has been increasing, reaching 22.5% in 2014. Sometimes female workers have to change their working style in response to life events such as marriage, child birth, and raising children. There is little detailed research on the working status and awareness of career development among female dentists. We carried out a survey of 88 female trainee dentists by a questionnaire on career development at Nihon University School of Dentistry, Dental Hospital. The survey showed that 81% of the respondents wish to continue working as a dentist, even if they have temporary breaks related to life events. The female trainees also considered that dentistry is a suitable occupation for them. Sixty-six respondents considered that the greatest barrier to working as a dentist is achieving a proper balance between work and childcare. 16% of the respondents requested maternity leave, and 82% of the respondents requested childcare leave or wanted to concentrate on raising their child for several years. Only 8% of the respondents wished to keep working full-time for all of their life. On the other hand, 92% of the respondents preferred part-time work when taking care of children. It is necessary to provide female trainee dentists at our hospital with the opportunity to come into contact with role models for career development. After postgraduate clinical training, it is essential to create a working environment at the hospital for further education and outplacement services for female dentists after taking temporary breaks to balance their career development and family life.