Teaching of posterior composites in dental schools in Japan-30 years and beyond

Objectives: The teaching of posterior composites has been a major part of the curriculum in Japanese dental education for several decades. The aim of this paper was to investigate the current trends in the teaching of posterior composites to undergraduate dental students in Japan by comparing the results of surveys conducted for over 30 years. Methods: In late 2016-early 2017, a questionnaire seeking information on the teaching of posterior composites was distributed via e-mail to the persons responsible for teaching operative dentistry in 29 dental schools having undergraduate dental degree programs in Japan. The results obtained were compared to those from surveys conducted in 1986, 1997, and 2007. Results: All 29 schools that were sent the questionnaire completed the responses (response rate = 100%). All 29 schools reported teaching the placement of composite in occlusal and two-surface occluso-proximal cavities in both premolars and molars. Four schools reported not teaching the placement of three-surface occluso-proximal composites in premolars and five schools reported not teaching it for molars. Twenty-seven (93%) schools taught composite first as a part of the preclinical curriculum, whereas 15 (65%) schools did so in the survey of 2007. Variations were noted between schools in the teaching of, cavity design. In contrast, greater consistency was observed in the teaching of techniques for protecting exposed dentin and light-curing technologies. Conclusions: It is hoped that measures intended to increase the clinical experience of restoring teeth with direct composite-resin for dental students in Japan will be effective, providing opportunity to bring dental education in Japan more into line with international norms.