| dc.description.abstract | The chapters in this book, which review the presentations at the 6th International
Symposium for Interface Oral Health Science held January 18–19, 2016, at Tohoku
University, Sendai, Japan, is being issued as a special publication. I am honored and
pleased to deliver Interface Oral Health Science 2016 to our publisher.
Interface Oral Health Science is a new concept in dentistry, established by the
Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry in 2002, based on the knowledge
that normal oral function is maintained through harmony between three biological
and biomechanical systems: (1) structure of the mouth, including teeth, the mucous
membrane, bones, and muscles; (2) microorganisms in the mouth (parasites); and
(3) biomaterials. Tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other oral disorders can be
recognized as “interface disorders”, which are caused by the collapse of the inter-
face between systems. This concept is shared not only by dentistry and dental medi-
cine but also by a variety of disciplines, including medicine, material science,
engineering, and others.
Since 2002, the Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry has regarded
Interface Oral Health Science as the main theme of dental research in the twenty-
fi rst century. We are committed to advancing dental studies by implementing
Interface Oral Health Science while promoting interdisciplinary research across a
wide range of related fi elds. Based on this concept, we have successfully organized
international symposiums for Interface Oral Health Science fi ve times, in 2005,
2007, 2009, 2011, and 2014, which included inspiring special lectures, symposium
sessions, poster presentations, and other discussions. These presentations were pub-
lished in a series of English monographs titled Interface Oral Health Science . | |
