Dr. Hirohiko Hirano, D.D.S., Ph.D. (日本埼玉縣齒科醫師會)
學經歷
Education
NIHON UNIVERSITY School of Dentistry at Matsudo
Academic Appointments
1.Visiting Professor, Nihon University
Present Position
1.Director: Dentistry and Oral Surgery
2.Team Leader: Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health
Professional Experience
1992-2002 Medical Staff of Dental and Oral Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital (TMGH)
2002-2009 Medical Director of Dental and Oral Surgery, TMGH
2009-2016 Sub-director of Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG)
2016-2018 Director of Dental and Oral Surgery, TMGH
2019-2022 Director of Dental and Oral Surgery, TMGH & Director of Research Team for Promoting Independence and Mental Health, TMIG
In the current position since 2023.
Professional Affiliation / Membership
1.Japanese Society of Gerodontology (President)
2.The Japan Federation of Gerontological Societies (Director)
3.Japanese Association on Sarcopenia and Frailty (Director)
4.Japanese Society for Evidence and the Dental Professional (Director)
5.Dept. of Community Health, Japan Dental Association
Major interest
Gerodontology、Oral Frailty、Nutritional support for people with dementia
摘要
In Japan, oral hypofunction in older adults and oral function developmental disorder in children were officially established as diagnostic categories covered by the public health insurance system in 2018. In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has clearly emphasized that the role of the family dentist extends beyond the management of dental caries and periodontal disease to include the acquisition, maintenance, and restoration of oral function. As a result, the importance of oral function management has gained increasing attention.
Assessment of oral hypofunction is conducted using seven examination items: poor oral hygiene, oral dryness, decreased occlusal force, reduced tongue–lip motor function, low tongue pressure, impaired masticatory function, and impaired swallowing function. Individuals who meet three or more of these criteria are diagnosed with oral hypofunction and are managed through comprehensive oral function management. However, unlike diseases such as dental caries and periodontal disease, which are associated with visible structural changes, oral function represents an intrinsic and functional condition. Consequently, many dental professionals find it challenging to form a concrete clinical image of oral function management.
In this lecture, methods for assessing oral function in older adults, interpretation of assessment results, and practical approaches to oral function management will be explained. Actual clinical cases will also be presented to illustrate real-world application.
