It has been 10 years since we opened our doors in Hiroo, Tokyo. May it be locals or foreigners, differences in eating habits, varying according to country or region, are often exhibited in the symptoms. However, there are things that one should carefully examine more than the difference in the country. That is the lifestyle and habits of each person.
A dentist specializes in a part called oromandibular region, which is located from below the eyes to the neck. However, this is not a separate organ as it is connected and largely related to other regions. That is why we have to see the bigger picture.
For example, a patient is complaining about pain in their molars. Should I try drilling it? That is something I would never do. I would listen to the patient’s story and observe their whole body.
If it turns out that the patient had been travelling on an airplane for a long period or that their work involves facing computers, then I would suspect that the pain is caused by their posture. Maintaining the same posture over long periods will cause the jaw joint to slip and cause poor blood flow, which will result in toothache.
I believe that genuine medical treatment is being able to sum up by facing and talking to patients and understanding their different lifestyle patterns, habits and interests.
A medical treatment tailored according to their condition is what is called an “order-made treatment”. I strongly believe that this method can support a patient’s healthy lifestyle all throughout their life.
In the west, there are facilities which treat cavities and there are others who attach dental caps. In other words, specializations are established within one field. However, the concept of having one doctor, whom the patient is familiar with, provide all medical treatments is firmly rooted in Japan. Hence, specializations in dentistry are not established here.
It is extremely difficult for a doctor to cover all fields and maintain the level of all medical treatment at the same or a higher level than that of a specialist. While this is a difficult task, we are studying every day on how to maintain this.