title: Specialty education in periodontics in Japan and the United States: comparison of programs at Nippon Dental University Hospital and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
abstract: Japan has institutions that train qualified postdoctoral students in the field of periodontics; however, Japan does not have comprehensive advanced periodontal programs and national standards for these specialty programs. To help Japanese programs move toward global standards in this area, this study was designed to describe overall differences in periodontics specialty education in Japan and the United States and to compare periodontics faculty members and residents' characteristics and attitudes in two specific programs, one in each country. Periodontal faculty members and residents at Nippon Dental University (NDU) and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) Dental School participated in the survey study: four faculty members and nine residents at NDU; seven faculty members and thirteen residents at UTHSCSA. Demographic data were collected as well as respondents' attitudes toward and assessment of their programs. The results showed many differences in curriculum structure and clinical performance. In contrast to the UTHSCSA respondents, for example, the residents and faculty members at NDU reported that they did not have enough subject matter and time to learn clinical science. Although the residents at NDU reported seeing more total patients in one month than those at UTHSCSA, they were taught fewer varieties of periodontal treatments. To provide high-quality and consistent education for periodontal residents, Japan needs to establish a set of standards that will have positive consequences for those in Japan who need periodontal treatment.
authors.affiliation: Nippon Dental University Hospital, Division of General Dentistry, 2-3-16 Fujimi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan 102-8158; g-osawa@tky.ndu.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Ginko
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Osawa
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakaya
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Mealey
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalkwarf
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cochran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D003726:Dental Assistants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate / Q000592:standards; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007564:Japan; D008875:Middle Aged; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010361:Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010517:Periodontics / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012575:Schools, Dental; D013781:Texas; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
keywords: Japan; accreditation standards; advanced education in periodontics; periodontal residents; periodontics; periodontology