A proposed core curriculum for dental English education in Japan

Background: Globalization of the professions has become a necessity among schools and universities across the world. It has affected the medical and dental professions in terms of curriculum design and student and patient needs. In Japan, where medicine and dentistry are taught mainly in the Japanese language, profession-based courses in English, known as Medical English and Dental English, have been integrated into the existing curriculum among its 83 medical and 29 dental schools. Unfortunately, there is neither a core curriculum nor a model syllabus for these courses. Methods: This report is based on a survey, two discussion forums, a workshop, and finally, the drafting of a proposed core curriculum for dental English approved by consensus of the participants from each university. Results: The core curriculum covers the theoretical aspects, including dental English terms and oral pathologies; and practical aspects, including blended learning and dentist-patient communication. It is divided into modules and is recommended to be offered for at least two semesters. Conclusions: The core curriculum is expected to guide curriculum developers in schools where dental English courses are yet to be offered or are still in their early development. It may also serve as a model curriculum to medical and dental schools in countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, and Central and South America, where English is not the medium of instruction

Bibliography on Academic Exchanges of Tokushima University Faculty of Dentistry with Seven Indonesian Faculties

Tokushima University Faculty of Dentistry has signed academic agreements with seven faculties in Indonesia, and joint international meetings between these Indonesian universities have been held biannually. Moreover, undergraduate student exchange programs have been executed every year with three faculties. Behind the development of these successful outcomes is a story of a large amount of effort by pioneers. The purpose of this article is to present the process and history of the academic exchanges of Tokushima University Faculty of Dentistry with Indonesian faculties at present and to discuss future exchange programs