The Era of Detecting Dementia Through Dentistry — Seminar on Medical-Dental Collaboration to Promote the 'Oral Gatekeeper Initiative' on July 5

It is estimated that by 2025, the number of dementia patients in Japan will reach approximately 7 million, and this number is expected to continue rising with the country's aging population.

Currently, dementia care primarily focuses on "diagnosis," "medication," and "nursing care," while preventive interventions and support for maintaining daily living functions in the preclinical stages remain insufficiently systematized.

In this context, the correlation between "oral function" and cognitive decline has recently gained increasing attention in the medical field.

Declining chewing ability. Reduced swallowing function. Poorly fitting dentures. Malnutrition. Poor oral hygiene.

These are not merely oral health issues. Recent clinical findings increasingly show that they can trigger a cascade leading to:

・Frailty ・Aspiration pneumonia ・Malnutrition ・Reduced physical activity ・Social isolation

and ultimately, cognitive decline.

This means dental clinics are beginning to shift their role—from being places that get involved "after dementia develops" to becoming places that can detect early warning signs "before dementia onset."

This seminar will introduce this new concept as the "Oral Gatekeeper Initiative," presenting a new medical model in which dental clinics serve as entry points for dementia prevention.

Special Lecture Dr. Kazuhiko Kono, Director of Nagoya Forest Clinic and a leading expert in dementia treatment (originator of the Kono Method), will deliver a keynote speech.

He will provide practical insights on:

"The Frontlines of Dementia Care" "Early Detection at the Pre-Disease Stage" "Concrete Methods for Collaboration with Dental Clinics"

Dr. Kazuhiko Kono, Director, Nagoya Forest Clinic

Key Highlights

The following practical tools will be unveiled and distributed for the first time at this seminar:

・Dementia简易 screening questionnaire ・Patient education materials for dental clinics ・Illustrated comic explaining the Kono Method ・Directory of dementia specialists for regional collaboration

Participants will leave equipped with actionable strategies that can be implemented in clinical practice starting the next day.

"Early detection and ongoing observation" in dental settings are key to dementia prevention.

Collaboration with Public Awareness Project

This seminar is linked to the documentary film currently in production: "Gatekeepers of Dementia."

This project aims to visualize:

"A society capable of early dementia detection" "Regional models where dental, medical, and caregiving services are integrated, not fragmented"

and the seminar serves as a critical practical field for this initiative.

Comment from Dr. Michiyo Matsuo, President of the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Dentistry

"Dental medicine must evolve from a treatment-completion model to a life-function support model. Dementia represents a quintessential challenge in this transformation. There are changes that only dental professionals can detect."

Comment from Public Relations Officer

"Dementia sends warning signs through changes in daily life and oral health before symptoms become apparent. Dental clinics are on the front lines of detecting these signs. We believe this seminar marks the first step toward positioning dentistry as society's gatekeeper."

The Miracle of the Kono Method

【For Members of the Press】

This seminar touches on multiple intersecting social issues, making it a compelling topic for media coverage:

・Dementia prevention ・Elderly healthcare ・Community-integrated care ・New roles in dental medicine ・Pre-disease intervention models

On the day, we can accommodate:

・Interviews with speakers ・On-site filming ・Photography of distributed materials ・Interviews with film production staff

【Event Details】

Title Medical-Dental Collaborative Seminar "The Role of Dental Professionals in Dementia Care"

Date and Time July 5, 2026 (Sun) 13:00–16:30

Venue Room 202, Iidabashi Rainbow Building 11 Ichigayafunakawahara-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Capacity 100 participants

Registration Fee Dentists, Physicians, Veterinarians: 22,000 JPY (tax included) Dental Hygienists, Dental Technicians, Nurses, Dental-related Professionals, General Public: 11,000 JPY (tax included)

Continuing Education Credits 2 credits for renewal of certification from the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Dentistry

Registration Deadline June 30, 2026 (Tue)

Registration Page https://peatix.com/event/4961565

Organizer Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Dentistry

Official Website https://jd-aa.net

【Press Inquiries】 Public Relations: Nobuaki Taguchi Mail: taguchi@integral-ms.jp