大学案内｜ABOUT MDU

The Matsumoto Dental University Association held its 65th academic meeting (regular assembly) in classroom 201 of the lecture hall building on Saturday, November 17th. Representing the freshmen studying mastication science in PBL Seminar I, Mr. Takahiro Yamashita announced the results of their joint research as one of the general presentations of the meeting. The participants paid close attention.

The 1st hospital oral implant conference was held in the Mae and Oku Hotaka Room of the 30th Anniversary Building on Monday, November 12th, as part of the preparation for the opening of a new hospital, with special guest Dr. Toshiro Sugai, a specialist in clinical practice. About thirty dentists working for the university participated. They vigorously discussed diagnoses and treatment plans for six cases of new patients.

Training in manners for the staff of a new hospital, due to open next month, started on Tuesday, November 13th, with the purpose of providing a high level of service to patients. The trainers were Hatsumi Nagayoshi and Chieko Sakabe from ANA Learning. Very practical training was given to materialize a target of the new hospital: “Be a hospital that is kind to people”.

The 3rd meeting of the Dental Treatment Technology Application Research Group — promoted by the Nagano Techno Foundation and MDU — was held with the Jonendake Room on the third floor of the 30th Anniversary Building as the main venue, on Tuesday, November 6th. The participants were MDU lecturers and the representatives of twelve companies based in Nagano Prefecture.

Dr. Mitsuo Ito, Professor of Dental Materials and Technology, who works for the group as a coordinator for partnership between academia and industry, set three research themes for the group: (1) R&D of equipment for environmental measures at dental treatment sites, (2) R&D of treatment equipment which is possible to use during disasters, and (3) R&D of equipment and parts, responding to the needs and seeds of dental treatment equipment manufacturers. At this 3rd meeting, subgroups were set up according to the themes. After presentations, the participants separated into the subgroups according to the three research themes, introduced their own technology, narrowed down the targets and discussed matters such as the allocation of research. Each subgroup will perform R&D according to its plan, with the aim of developing an epoch-making product.

The 4th Hospital Seminar was held in classroom 601 of the main building on Tuesday, November 6th. The special guest was Dr. Atsushi Manabe, who is an assistant professor in the School of Dentistry at Showa University and manager of the Cosmetic Dentistry Department at the university hospital. He gave a presentation titled “Cosmetic dentistry at a university hospital”. In the first half of his presentation he explained how cosmetic dentistry should be performed at university hospitals in general. He emphasized that the cosmetic dentistry provided at academic institutions should have a sound scientific basis. In the latter half, he showed many successful and unsuccessful cases he has treated. He stated the importance of reaching a clear understanding of the causes of the failures to prevent their reoccurrence in following treatments.

The second lecturer, student and parent meetings of this academic year were held in the university gymnasium on Saturday, November 10th. Despite the cold, rainy weather, 308 students from the 1st to 6th years and their parents met the lecturers. The results of weekly tests and regular tests, attendance records and proficiency in each subject were the main topics of the meetings. Students and their parents enthusiastically listened to the lecturers’ advice on studying.

The screening of students recommended for matriculation to the Dental Hygiene Department (girls only) of the School of Dental Hygiene was conducted in the student hall of the library building on Thursday, November 1st. Competing for about 20 places on offer were 40 candidates — a ratio of 2.0. The screening consisted of an interview and a short essay titled “Knowing people’s pain”. The students looked serious throughout the screening.