Abstract
This paper describes the present Japanese oral healthcare system and outlines the future challenges and perspectives for Japan. Japan has developed a system for providing high-quality and appropriate health care efficiently through a universal health insurance system which has been in operation since 1961. This health insurance covers most restorative, prosthetic and oral surgery treatment. Therefore, all people can receive dental treatment at a relatively low cost, with the same fees applying throughout the nation. In Japan, public oral health services are provided by the local governments according to the life stage of their populations. These services are mainly conducted by private dental practitioners under contracts with local governments. National oral health data shows that the oral health of the Japanese population has improved over the last several decades. Future challenges and perspectives for Japanese dentistry include: tackling the regional differences in oral health, decreasing the cost of health expenditure, establishment of sustainable emergency oral healthcare services in times of disaster, and the development a new tele-dental system for remote areas without access to dental professionals.
Highlights
This paper describes the present Japanese oral healthcare system and outlines the future challenges and perspectives for Japan
Japan has developed a system for providing high quality and appropriate healthcare efficiently in its communities through a universal health insurance system which has been in operation for more than 50 years
If oral health problems are detected in schoolchildren, the school dentist recommends to the child and parents that they should seek dental treatment under the public health insurance scheme, described before
Summary
Japan is located in Northeast Asia and is composed of four main islands and 6848 smaller islands. The land area is 378,000 km and the capital city is Tokyo [1]. Japan’s population is over 126 million and most Japanese reside in densely populated urban areas [2]. In 2016, the national gross domestic product (GDP) was 4.937 trillion United States dollars (US$) and it is the world’s third largest economy [3]. Health expenditure is around 10% of GDP. Japan has developed a system for providing high quality and appropriate healthcare efficiently in its communities through a universal health insurance system which has been in operation for more than 50 years
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
