In our highly globalised world, the integration of global health perspectives into the dental public health curriculum is crucial for preparing students to address contemporary health challenges and encourage innovation. As a testament to this commitment, on September 11, 2023, a group of six postgraduate students and a lecturer from the Doctor in Dental Public Health programme at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), embarked on an educational trip to the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido for a comparative health study. The trip also included the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry of UiTM, Professor Dr. Aida Nur Ashikin Abd Rahman, who serves as a visiting professor appointed by the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido (HSUH). This educational trip spanned over five days and was filled with engaging experiences. The first group set out in May, followed by another group in June, and the most recent one in September. The primary objective of these visits was to expose the students to oral healthcare delivery systems and the management of public health in different countries.

The itinerary for the programme was carefully designed by the HSUH to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Japanese healthcare model and this was facilitated by the HSUH. On the first day of the trip, the UiTM team were warmly welcomed by the liaison officers of HSUH, Ms Sachie and Assistant Professor Dr Riasat Hasan at Sapporo JR Station. The team were then guided to the main campus of HSUH and were briefed on the overview of the whole trip. The official trip began with a meet and greet session with Professor Dr. Masahiro Asaka, the President of Health Sciences University of Hokkaido. The meeting took place in the President’s office at the main campus of HSUH, providing an opportunity for a meaningful exchange of ideas and discussions regarding potential future collaborations between UiTM and HSUH. Subsequently, the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at UiTM presented the President of HSUH with a memento, symbolising the shared commitment to collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The UiTM team then met Professor Dr. Yasushi Furuichi, the Dean of the School of Dentistry at HSUH, who extended his warmest welcome to them. The programme continued with a lecture by Professor Furuichi on ‘Super Aging Society and Oral Health’ and a visit to the Periodontology and Endodontology clinics in the campus. During the visit, they received briefings on clinic management, patient care, and the use of current technologies to enhance dental health services at HSUH. In the afternoon, the team had a welcome lunch with the former Dean of the School of Dentistry, HSUH, Professor Dr Takashi Saito. The day concluded with another lecture session by the Former Dean, Professor Dr. Saito, on ‘Esthetic Treatment Based on Minimal Intervention,’ followed by visits to the Clinical Cariology clinic and laboratories. Later, the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, UiTM, Professor Dr Aida Nur Ashikin and the accompanying lecturer, Dr Nawwal Alwani Mohd Radzi were invited to a dinner session with the Dean, former Dean, the Director and liaison committee of International Education and Exchange Center of the School of Dentistry, HSUH.

On the second day, the UiTM team visited the HSUH Hospital at Sapporo Ainosato Campus. They toured the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, which included the teaching clinics and the patient ward. The tour was facilitated by the Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons. They are Professor Dr Nagayasu, Professor Dr Shimo, Professor Dr Terumitsu and Dr Harada. During the visit, the team received briefings on the cases scheduled for the Operating Theatre that day. Subsequently, they were taken to the Operating Theatre, where they had the unique opportunity to observe an ORIF (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation) procedure through an observation window, alongside HSUH dental undergraduates. Prior to the surgery, the Dental Anesthesiology team explained the procedures and their role in the Operating Theatre which was unique to Japan’s oral healthcare delivery system. In Japan, their expertise is integrated into dentistry rather than being a part of the medical field’s anesthesiology. The visit at HSUH Hospital lasted from 10.30 am to 4 pm.

The third day of the educational trip began with a lecture by Professor Dr. Hiroko Miura from the Department of Disease Control and Epidemiology, titled ‘New Oral Health Promotion Plan in Japan.’ During the session, the team engaged in discussions and exchanged ideas regarding oral health promotion strategies and policies, with a particular focus on the elderly populations in Japan and Malaysia. The day continued with a lecture delivered by Professor Dr Iida from the Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, who specialises in Dysphagia Rehabilitation. The UiTM team had hands-on experience with the insertion of a small camera (endoscope) for dysphagia diagnostic purposes and the opportunity to try out special devices used in dysphagia rehabilitation at HSUH.

On the fourth day, the UiTM team had the opportunity to tour the main campus of HSUH, including student facilities, research facilities, and various learning spaces across different faculties. They also had the privilege of meeting Professor Yoshifumi Toyoshita from the Department of Oral Rehabilitation, who later delivered a lecture titled ‘A Strategy for a Super-Aged Society in the Japanese Dental Field.’ This lecture emphasised the strategies devised to address the challenges posed by Japan’s super-aged society. Following the lecture, students participated in hands-on sessions to familiarise themselves with advanced technology and tools used for research and oral healthcare delivery to the elderly in Japan. The team was also introduced to the use of robots and artificial intelligence for dental education in the simulation laboratory. The day concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony by the Dean of the School of Dentistry at HSUH for all the participants from UiTM.

On the fifth and final day of this educational attachment, the UiTM team were brought to visit a satellite campus of HSUH which is located at the hustling and bustling city of Sapporo. The team was greeted by the Director of International Education and Exchange Center, Professor Dr Yoshihiro Abiko at the satellite campus. They then proceeded to visit a private dental clinic to learn about private dental healthcare delivery in Japan. Konomi Dental Clinic is a well-established and renowned dental clinic which is run by the alumni of the School of Dentistry, HSUH. Konomi Dental Clinic is located on a two-storey building where the clinic is situated at the ground floor and dental laboratories as well as conference rooms on the upper floor. The clinic utilised the most recent, cutting edge technology for patient care and dental laboratories from automated machines for patient registration and payment to digitalised intra-oral scanning and designing as well as 3D printing for dental prosthetics. Afterwards, they went back to the satellite campus for a lecture by Professor Abiko on ‘Psychosomatic Dentistry in Oral Medicine Clinic’. Professor Abiko shared his experiences in managing patients with psychosomatic pain and emphasised the importance of psychology among patients presented with atypical oral disorders.

As the educational journey drew to a close, the postgraduate students and faculty members from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Health Sciences University of Hokkaido (HSUH) not only gained knowledge but also formed strong bonds while working together and gaining a better understanding of global healthcare issues. The cross-cultural exchange, lectures by esteemed professors, hands-on experiences, and meaningful dialogues have left an indelible mark on the participants. These experiences have not only prepared them to address the evolving landscape of healthcare but have also forged meaningful connections between institutions and individuals which supports the mission of UiTM being a globally renowned university by 2025 through quality education and global excellence.