Session
Dr. DT DH10/4（sun）
15:15 - 16:45
Hall D5
Session 16
Global Oral Health Policy and Japan’s Steps Toward the Future of Older Adults Care
国際口腔保健政策と日本の歩み：
高齢者ケアの未来を見据えて
Japan entered a super-aged society ahead of many other nations, making its role in addressing the challenges and opportunities of population aging increasingly important. In this session, we will explore the international contributions of the Japanese dental community through initiatives such as the FDI, OHAP, and UHC. We will also highlight domestic efforts in frailty prevention and community-based integrated care, while sharing examples of geriatric dental care initiatives from around the world. Through these perspectives, the session will examine the future direction of dental care in an aging society.
Moderator & Lecturer
0.25 CE Credits
Oral Health for an Ageing Population (OHAP) project of FD
― ten years and the way forward
FDI「高齢社会における口腔保健（OHAP）」プロジェクト
～10年間の成果と今後の展望
- universal health coverage (UHC)
- people-centered approach
- healthy ageing
- ユニバーサル・ヘルス・カバレッジ（UHC）
- 人中心のアプローチ
- 健康的な高齢化
In order to create a framework for achieving oral health in an ageing society, the Japan Dental Association (JDA) and WHO held a World Dental Congress in 2015, where the Tokyo Declaration was issued. Then, with financial backing from GC, FDI launched the Oral Health for an Ageing Population (OHAP) project in 2016 to expand the role of oral health professionals in achieving healthy longevity. As of 2026, the program has continued for a full decade. We have shared our progress at annual OHAP symposiums at the World Dental Congress, noting that interest in this global public health challenge has been steadily growing.
In this presentation, I will explain how this project has evolved and what resources we have produced, with a strong focus on Season III (2024-2027). During this season, we produced an Advocacy Guide to help policymakers and dental associations learn from the oral health systems already implemented in other countries. In doing so, we hope to continue building global momentum for the promotion of oral health in older people.
In this presentation, I will explain how this project has evolved and what resources we have produced, with a strong focus on Season III (2024-2027). During this season, we produced an Advocacy Guide to help policymakers and dental associations learn from the oral health systems already implemented in other countries. In doing so, we hope to continue building global momentum for the promotion of oral health in older people.
Lecturer
Oral Health Management for Healthy Longevity
健康寿命の延伸に寄与する口腔健康管理
- Oral health supports nutrition, physical function, and social participation, and plays a vital role in extending healthy life expectancy.
- Japan’s long-standing approaches to oral health management will be introduced, including the 8020 Campaign, school oral health programs, dental care provided under the universal health insurance system, oral frailty prevention initiatives, and home dental care services.
- Drawing on Japan’s experience as one of the world’s most advanced super-aged societies, this lecture will highlight the evolving value of dentistry in supporting people’s ability to eat, communicate, and smile throughout their lives, while exploring the potential for dentistry to contribute internationally to the realization of healthy longevity.
- 口腔の健康が栄養摂取、身体機能の維持、社会参加を支え、健康寿命の延伸に重要な役割を果たしていることを示す。
- 8020運動、学校歯科保健、国民皆保険制度のもとでの歯科医療提供体制、オーラルフレイル対策、在宅歯科医療など、日本が長年にわたり築いてきた口腔健康管理の取り組みを紹介する。
- 超高齢社会の最前線を歩む日本の経験を通じて、生涯にわたり「食べる・話す・笑う」を支える新たな歯科医療の新たな価値を示すとともに、健康長寿社会の実現に向けた歯科医療の国際的な貢献の可能性について展望する。
As life expectancy continues to increase worldwide, extending healthy life expectancy has become a shared global challenge. Oral health is now recognized not only as a means of preventing oral diseases and maintaining oral function, but also as a key determinant of nutrition, physical function, social participation, and overall quality of life (QOL). A growing body of scientific evidence has demonstrated associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the relationship between declining oral function and frailty, and the effectiveness of oral health management in preventing aspiration pneumonia.
As one of the first countries to enter a super-aged society, Japan has developed comprehensive oral health initiatives that contribute to healthy longevity. The 8020 Campaign, one of Japan’s most notable public health initiatives, has become firmly established nationwide and has significantly improved oral health among older adults. In addition, continuous access to dental care under the universal health insurance system, school oral health programs, community-based oral health promotion activities, and multidisciplinary collaboration involving dental hygienists and other healthcare professionals represent key strengths of Japan’s oral health system.
In recent years, the role of dentistry has expanded considerably to encompass oral frailty prevention, oral function management, perioperative oral health management, home dental care, and participation in community-based integrated care systems. Dentistry is evolving beyond the treatment of teeth and oral diseases toward a broader mission of supporting health, independence, and quality of life throughout the lifespan.
As one of the first countries to enter a super-aged society, Japan has developed comprehensive oral health initiatives that contribute to healthy longevity. The 8020 Campaign, one of Japan’s most notable public health initiatives, has become firmly established nationwide and has significantly improved oral health among older adults. In addition, continuous access to dental care under the universal health insurance system, school oral health programs, community-based oral health promotion activities, and multidisciplinary collaboration involving dental hygienists and other healthcare professionals represent key strengths of Japan’s oral health system.
In recent years, the role of dentistry has expanded considerably to encompass oral frailty prevention, oral function management, perioperative oral health management, home dental care, and participation in community-based integrated care systems. Dentistry is evolving beyond the treatment of teeth and oral diseases toward a broader mission of supporting health, independence, and quality of life throughout the lifespan.
Lecturer
0.25 CE Credits
The Importance of Oral Function Management in Older Adults:Implications from the Current Situation in Japan
高齢者における口腔機能管理の重要性：
日本の現状からの示唆
- Oral Frailty
- Oral Hypofunction
- Oral Function Management
- Management of Eating and Swallowing Disorders
- オーラルフレイル
- 口腔機能低下症
- 口腔機能管理
- 摂食嚥下管理
The 8020 Campaign has substantially increased the number of remaining teeth among older adults in Japan. However, age-related decline in oral function has emerged as a critical issue. In response, the concept of oral frailty was proposed in Japan, emphasizing that even subtle declines in oral function may initiate a cascade leading to physical frailty and adverse health outcomes. Furthermore, the introduction of insurance coverage for oral hypofunction has expanded the scope of dental care beyond the prevention and treatment of dental caries and periodontal disease to include functional management. Drawing on Japan’s experience, this lecture examines the clinical and public health significance of oral function management in ageing societies and discusses its implications for future oral health strategies.
Lecturer
0.25 CE Credits
Global Trends in Oral Health and Ageing Populations
Global Trends in Oral Health and Ageing Populations
- An overview of global ageing and its associated challenges, including the evolution of related global policies
- Background on the JDA World Congress 2015 and the Tokyo Declaration on its final day
- The establishment of the FDI OHAP Task Team and its 10-year trajectory
- Key outcomes of OHAP and remaining challenges toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with a focus on oral health as a right for older populations
- 高齢化の進展とそれに伴う課題の世界的な概観、および関連する国際政策の変遷
- 2015年のJDA World Congressの概要と、最終日に採択された「東京宣言（Tokyo Declaration）」の背景
- FDI OHAP（Oral Health for an Ageing Population）タスクチームの設立と、その10年間の歩み
- OHAPの主な成果と、ユニバーサル・ヘルス・カバレッジ（UHC）の実現に向けてなお残されている課題
－ 特に、高齢者にとって口腔保健を基本的権利として保障するという観点から
Globally, the population is ageing with dramatic demographic shifts evident in many countries around the world. As our populations change, healthcare delivery needs evolve with many funding models becoming increasingly outdated and unsustainable. Alongside these changes to population structures, the oral health profile of older adults has also changed with many countries seeing a change from an edentate to a partially dentate older population. Whilst this is very positive, it does present the dental team with the challenges of managing ageing dentitions in patients who may also be suffering from a range of chronic systemic diseases. As we embrace the concept of “healthy ageing” this presentation will present pragmatic approaches to care, and draw on experiences from the United Kingdom and Ireland in delivering dental care for dependent older adults. The prevention and management of caries in older adults will be discussed in addition to simple tooth replacement strategies.
