Message from the President
Greetings from the President of the Japanese Society of Periodontology
Nobuo Yoshinari
I am Nobuo Yoshinari from Matsumoto Dental University and I am honored to serve as the 26th President of the Japanese Society of Periodontology. I have a sense of great responsibility for operation of the society, which has observed tradition and created new findings throughout its long and glorious history. At the same time, I feel strongly that reforms are required. My thoughts on the future of the society are given below.
The Japanese Society of Periodontology has operated for over 65 years as an academic association that contributes to welfare of people and society through performance of basic and clinical research to cure periodontal disease, which is a national affliction, and save as many teeth as possible. Major activities include organizing academic meetings, publication of journals and guidelines, international exchange, awards, and educational activities. Since periodontal disease is related to other organs as a complication of other diseases, research on the relationship with different bioregulatory systems has been a focus in recent years. In clinical research, the society has promoted use of cells in periodontal regenerative therapy, development and improvement of new techniques, nurture and maintenance of periodontists authorized by the Japanese Dentist Specialty Board, and preparation and recommendation of a universal dental examination. Along with these developments, introduction of artificial intelligence (AI), information and communication technology (ICT), and personal health records (PHRs) is likely to become common to improve the health of people in society.
This year, the baby-boom generation becomes the old-old generation, leading to a further super-aged society. Therefore, it is urgent to reverse the increase in prevalence of periodontal disease in elderly people. Although the society has continued to grow (13,255 members as of August 31, 2025), for further development it is important for the society to reinvent itself in research, one of its strengths. Professor Yukihiro Numabe, the former president, closely examined many problems based on “inheritance” and “challenge” as a basic philosophy. In the future, a new DX committee will be established with the prevalence of remote technology after the COVID-19 pandemic to improve the business of the society, collaboration between medical and dental fields, and clinical big data analysis. In addition, research into periodontal disease will be promoted by the society to accumulate data from large-scale studies in which many society members participate, and to publish these data in international journals.
The society will also support training after graduation and life-time training for clinical researchers through ICT and hands-on seminars for techniques that are not sufficiently used in clinical examinations. To respect diversity, the society will develop and discuss future concepts from a long-term standpoint to increase the number of young or female directors, and to maintain and increase the number of members. Through these efforts, a system will be established that encourages admission into a society in which new members can realize their dreams.
I will promote all of the initiatives above from the standpoint of society members and the opinions of companies that support practicing physicians, hospital physicians, faculty members, and dental hygienists in our society. To develop a sustainable base for the activities of the Japanese Society of Periodontology in ten years, and fifty years or longer, I will do my best to work with all of you. I greatly appreciate your continued support.
