English-speaking dentists in Japan

English-speaking dentists in Japan

It has been rumored that there are more dental offices in Japan than convenience stores. A quick search reveals this to be true with about 67,000 dental facilities and “just” 54,000 convenience stores throughout the country. Amazing statistics when one considers how ubiquitous Family Mart, 7/11 and Lawson stores are in arguably the most convenient country in the world.

Although Tokyo has one of the highest population densities in the world, there are equally as many dentists to support that population. In fact, Tokyo has the highest number of dentists per 1000 people than any other prefecture in Japan, at just under 1.2 dentists per 1000 people.

So how many English speaking dentists are there in Japan? Well no one knows for sure, but in our experience there are more than most people may think. HealthyTOKYO.com estimates that there are close to 300 English-speaking dental facilities in Japan.

Tokyo certainly has the majority of these and they tend to cluster in one of several wards – Minato-ku, Setagaya-ku, Meguro-ku, Shibuya-ku and Shinjuku-ku – although there is a substantial number in other areas as well.

Read our informative article about English-speaking dentists specifically in Tokyo here.

The level of English capability varies, but it is not uncommon to find expert doctors who have studied at top universities in Japan and at prestigious medical schools overseas. Many we know often travel overseas to stay abreast of the latest dental technologies, procedures and equipment through continuing education courses and advanced certifications.

It is also important to take note whether or not the clinic or hospital that you are looking into accepts insurance. There are several types of insurance, in the form of Japanese National Health Insurance, private insurance, or social insurance. We have all this information and more for our partners on the HealthyTOKYO network!

If you are looking for an English-speaking dentist in Japan for a specific procedure, or just need help finding the right dentist for you, please feel free to chat with us and we will be happy to help. You can use the button below to chat to our concierge, fluent in both English and Japanese, we can help you book an appointment to any of our medical partners in our network and will do our best if you have a clinic or hospital in mind not affiliated with us.

English-speaking dentists in Japan

It has been rumored that there are more dental offices in Japan than convenience stores. A quick search reveals this to be true with about 67,000 dental facilities and “just” 54,000 convenience stores throughout the country. Amazing statistics when one considers how ubiquitous Family Mart, 7/11 and Lawson stores are in arguably the most convenient country in the world.

Although Tokyo has one of the highest population densities in the world, there are equally as many dentists to support that population. In fact, Tokyo has the highest number of dentists per 1000 people than any other prefecture in Japan, at just under 1.2 dentists per 1000 people.

So how many English speaking dentists are there in Japan? Well no one knows for sure, but in our experience there are more than most people may think. HealthyTOKYO.com estimates that there are close to 300 English-speaking dental facilities in Japan.

Tokyo certainly has the majority of these and they tend to cluster in one of several wards – Minato-ku, Setagaya-ku, Meguro-ku, Shibuya-ku and Shinjuku-ku – although there is a substantial number in other areas as well.

Read our informative article about English-speaking dentists specifically in Tokyo here.

The level of English capability varies, but it is not uncommon to find expert doctors who have studied at top universities in Japan and at prestigious medical schools overseas. Many we know often travel overseas to stay abreast of the latest dental technologies, procedures and equipment through continuing education courses and advanced certifications.

It is also important to take note whether or not the clinic or hospital that you are looking into accepts insurance. There are several types of insurance, in the form of Japanese National Health Insurance, private insurance, or social insurance. We have all this information and more for our partners on the HealthyTOKYO network!

Some Useful Terms To Know

Japan has different types of dentists who attend to the special care and needs of each patient. Let’s take a look at when you should approach which dentist mentioned below.

General dentist

General dentists are the primary dental practitioners whom individuals approach for their overall dental care. General dentists address everything from root canal treatments to gum problems, bridges, fillings and more.

Periodontist

The dental structures that surround the teeth need to be in good shape for optimal overall dental health. Periodontists help make sure that the gum tissues, bone structure and dental implants that support the teeth are maintained in good condition. They treat any associated problems or diseases.

Prosthodontist

Prosthodonists help repair or replace natural teeth by using dental prosthetics. The prosthodontist may use crowns or dentures to replace one or more teeth, such that they function and appear as close to the natural dental structure as possible. Prosthodontists also help in installing dental implants in patients.

Dental surgeon

Dental surgeons perform a wide range of surgical procedures in the mouth, face and jaw structure. It could involve anything from a simple tooth extraction to a complex reconstruction surgery after an accident, or removal of oral cavity tumours.

Pediatric dentist

These dentists typically treat children who are 1-2 years old to those in their teens. The dentist detects, diagnoses and treats dental issues as the teeth develop, and may even refer the children to other specialists for well-rounded dental care.

Orthodontist

These dentists look at the development of the bite, teeth and the jaw structure, and help correct it if there are any irregularities. The dentist uses braces, wire, bands, retainers and other appliances to correct the issue in kids and adults.

Endodontist

An endodontist helps diagnose, treat and prevent conditions that are related to the nerve or dental pulp in the teeth. These dentists use root canal or other surgical procedures to treat dental conditions.

Word That May Be Useful To Know In Japanese

English	nihongo / Japanese	kanji / 日本語
Crooked teeth	hanarabi ga warui	歯並びが悪い
Crown	shikan	歯冠
Decalcification	dappai	脱灰
Tooth decay/ cavity	mushiba	むし歯
Dental floss	itoyoji	糸ようじ
Dental plate	ireba	入れ歯
Dental prothesis/denture	gishi	義歯
Dental pulp	shizui	歯髄
Dentinal canal	zoge saikan	象牙細管
Amalgam	amarugamu	アマルガム修復
Tooth whitening	howaitoningu	ホワイトニング
Carcinogenic	hatsugansei	発癌性
Cariogenic	ushoku	う蝕
Composites	konpojitto	コンポジット
Cosmetic dentistry	biyo ishika	美容歯科
Endodontist	shinairyōhōgaku	歯内療法学
Dentistry	shigaku	歯学
Geriatric dentist	rounenshikagaku	老年歯科学
Malocclusion	fuseikougou	不正咬合
Mouthguards	mausupiisu	マウスピース
Oral and maxillofacial surgeon	koukougeka	口腔外科
Orthodontics	shikakyouseigaku	歯科矯正学
Pediatric dentist	shounishikagaku	小児歯科学
Periodontitis	shishuubyou	歯周病
Periodontology	shishuuchiryougaku	歯周治療学
Plaque	shikou	歯垢
Prosthodontics	shikahotetsugaku	歯科補綴学
Resin	tennenjushi	天然樹脂
Restorative dentistry	shikahozongaku	歯科保存学
Gums	shiniku	歯肉