The 17th Global Minish Course, held from April 16 to 18 at the Emerging Training Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, concluded with 59 graduates, including 32 Japanese dentists and 27 dental hygienists.
In particular, this course was the first time that hospital-based companion training was introduced, enabling rapid implementation of Minish care in Japan. The completion ceremony was attended by more than 100 people, including graduates, instructors, and domestic providers, and served as a venue for networking and technical exchange between Korea and Japan.
“Minish for longer teeth” “Contributing to better health“
This course was different from previous ones because the participants were healthcare providers who had completed their provider contracts. In the past, we had experienced delays in training healthcare providers who were already committed to Minish. The three days of training increased their confidence in Minish.
Dr. Hayato Kuwazuru, director of Flamingo Dental Clinic in Oimachi, Tokyo, said, “I felt that Minish was close to the realm of preventive dentistry,” and confirmed that Minish is a solution that protects the tooth itself, extending its lifespan. Dr. Ryotaro Marumori of Sendai also emphasized, “I am convinced that this is a technology that not only preserves teeth, but also contributes to the promotion of fundamental health.”
Dr. Kimie Yokoi, director of the Shinsaibashi Todashika Orthodontics Department, had the opportunity to observe a Minish treatment and was so impressed by the patient’s smiling face upon completion that she joined the program.
“I could see where the patient’s satisfaction was coming from,” he said, “Minish is an innovative solution that combines health and aesthetics.”
“Minish is the key” for implant-orthodontist couple
Dr. Akihiro Maeda and Dr. Kiyoe Maeda, who run the Pearl Clinic medical corporation in Kumamoto, shed light on Minish from the perspective of an implantologist and orthodontist, respectively.
Dr. Akihiro sees it as a solution for patients who want to preserve their teeth, calling it “an alternative to the limitations of conventional prosthetics that require significant shaving of the surrounding teeth.” Dr. Kiyoe chose Minish as the key to improving the shape, proportion, and color of the teeth, which are difficult to achieve with orthodontics alone.
“The best synergy will be achieved if the color and shape are finished with Minish immediately after the teeth are straightened,” said Ryo Harada, CEO of SmileLant, a dental laboratory specializing in mouthpiece orthodontics in Tokyo, “and we will spread a comprehensive solution that combines orthodontics and Minish to dentists in Japan.” Smilant has more than 300 partner dental offices.
Hygienists Are Just as Important as Doctors… The Power of Precision Collaboration
This first-of-its-kind dentist-hygienist training has been met with great enthusiasm for maximizing efficiency at the point of care.
Dr. Ryutaro Suzuki, director of Habataki Dental Clinic in Aichi Prefecture, attended as a team with two hygienists, emphasizing that “the role of hygienists is as important as that of doctors,” and that “the whole team must learn together to work organically in the clinic.”
Akari Doi, a hygienist at the Habataki Dental Department in the same hospital, cited the oral scanning and photography exercises as the most memorable part of the curriculum, saying, “I’m used to doing this, but the level of precision required to treat Minish is different.”
“It gave me a clearer picture of how I can best support her,” he said.
“The nervousness I felt when I first held the Minish, which is much thinner and more delicate than a regular prosthesis, turned into eagerness to learn,” says hygienist Saya Morikoshi of Oimachi Flamingo Dental Clinic in Tokyo, “and the biggest achievement was learning how to finish it neatly without irritating my gums.”
For hygienist Misaki Maruyama of Daikanyama Dental Alien, who had already experienced Minish treatments in her practice, the course was more about sensation than technique.
“Speed is of the essence during the bonding phase,” he says, “and we’re focused on every minute of the process to ensure that the light irradiation phase is completed as quickly as possible.”
The know-how that the hygienists learned during the training program eventually converged on the goal of “one-team care. “Seeing the Korean hygienists in action, I once again deeply realized the importance of team care, where the entire team works together organically,” said Kimie Yokoi, director of the center.
Over 100 Participants Attend the Graduation Ceremony… A Place for Korean and Japanese Doctors to Exchange
The graduation ceremony at the end of the three-day program was expanded to include a networking event between Korean and Japanese providers. More than 100 participants, including graduates, domestic providers, and lecturers, attended the ceremony to strengthen the bond between the two countries’ medical staff.
The event started with a branded video, followed by a greeting from CEO Jungho Kang, a closing ceremony, a group photo, OX quiz and prizes, and social networking. Attendees enjoyed the atmosphere of the event and continued to interact with each other, taking commemorative photos on the photo wall in the center of the venue and leaving guestbooks.
“It’s great that patients can now receive minish right here at our hospital without having to travel as far as Korea or Tokyo,” said Dr. Marumori, who became the first provider in the Sendai region.
“We are fortunate to be ahead of the curve in introducing a technology that will become a trend in Japan,” said Dr. Yoon, who is from Gunma Prefecture, adding that he hopes to spread the word about Minish to the local community so they can experience the good treatment.
