7 Leading Postgraduate Dental Courses in Japan

Japan is an incredible country with a fantastic culture, cutting-edge technology, and a high standard of living. It also boasts bountiful opportunities for dentists with a robust healthcare system and top-quality educational institutions.

Dental professionals working in Japan and abroad may be considering pursuing further education to boost their careers and open new doors in exciting fields, and postgraduate programmes are the ideal way to enhance clinical skills and career prospects. Studying in Japan, whether domestically or internationally, can be a great way to upskill and continue your professional development. 

Read on to learn the ins and outs of the 7 leading postgraduate dental courses in Japan and find your perfect fit:

The Best Postgraduate Dental Courses In Japan

Japan is known for offering high-quality dental education to its students and is a fantastic place to live. If you’re considering studying abroad in Japan, you may want to consider the pros and cons first. 

Pros of Studying Postgraduate Dental Courses in Japan

For those already living and working in Japan or Japanese natives, studying postgraduate dentistry at a Japanese dental school or university may seem like the best and easiest option, and there are some benefits, such as:

1. Educational Quality: Japan is known for providing high-quality education to students in advanced institutes for learning with vast research facilities. 
2. Experienced Tutors: Postgraduate dental courses in Japan provide students with experienced teachers to give them clinical skills that surpass those in many other countries.
3. Cultural Experiences: Studying in Japan can be an experience full of inspiration for students, not just for learning. Japanese customs and culture are unique and welcoming, and international students may benefit from it while studying. 
4. Career Prospects: Japan has a fantastic healthcare system with skilled practitioners and many opportunities to progress in a career with a healthy earning potential. According to SalaryExpert.com, an entry-level dentist with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of ¥16,797,689 (£88,000). A senior-level dentist with 8+ years of experience can expect to earn an average salary of ¥30,820,761 (£162,000).

Cons of Studying Postgraduate Dental Courses in Japan

While Japan may seem like the ideal destination for further education and a successful career as a dentist, there are some disadvantages to studying postgraduate dental programmes in Japan:

1. Expensive Courses: Students can pay as much as ¥842,800 (£4,500) per year for a three-year course, putting quite a dent in anyone’s funds when thinking about pursuing further dentistry studies. 
2. Recognition Of Certificates: A postgraduate programme certification from a reputable Japanese university is often recognised globally but should not be considered a certainty for many positions. A UK-accredited postgraduate diploma is the only way to guarantee a globally recognised achievement. 
3. Living Expenses: The average cost of living in Japan for one person is $1,200 (£950) a month, but factoring in tuition fees, no income earned from working as you study, commuting costs, and visa fees, it may become untenable to study in Japan. 
4. Language Learning: Most postgraduate dental programmes in Japan are conducted in Japanese, with only some universities offering English language support for international students. You may find that it is a requirement to attain the highest level of education in Japan to learn Japanese before you attend a postgraduate dental course in Japan. Learning a foreign language takes time and money, and you may find your schedule as a busy working dentist will not allow you to expend this much effort.
5. Inflexibility Of Courses: Learning in-person and on campus isn’t conducive to the lifestyle of many working professionals who may prefer remote study so they can continue to earn an income while completing their postgraduate course.  
6. Length of Courses: Most Japanese dental postgraduate courses require a minimum of two to three years of full-time study, leaving little time for working alongside your studies.

Now we’ve looked at the pros and cons of studying in Japan, here are the 7 leading postgraduate dental courses in Japan for you to consider:

Number 7: Periodontology (Tokyo Dental College)

Tokyo Dental College is a private university specialising exclusively in the study and teaching of dentistry. Founded in 1890, the university offers excellent two-three year postgraduate course options including Periodontology, Orthodontics, Operative Dentistry, Prosthodontics, and more. The average cost of tuition is ¥780,000, which is around £4100 or $5200. 

Number 6: Orthodontics (Okayama University)

Okayama University is a fine choice for studying postgraduate dentistry, with a special interest in research. Their faculty of dentistry has a mission to commit to researching and developing dental sciences and nurturing the practitioners they teach. The utmost importance is placed on providing patients in need with advanced dental care with a basis in cutting-edge dental research. The Orthodontics programme at Okayama University is two-three years, with tuition ranging from ¥500,000 – ¥750,000 (£2600 – £3900).

Number 5: Endodontics (Kyushu University)

Kyushu University’s Faculty of Dental Science was established in 2000, and since then, have worked tirelessly to enhance the dental education of its students under the philosophy of “Overall Well-being through Oral Health”. Their graduate school international course was established in 2010, and their two-year Master’s program was founded in 2022. Endodontics is just one of the courses offered at Kyushu University, along with unique options such as Geriatric Dentistry, Oral Neuroscience, Dental Anesthesiology, and many more. 

Number 4: Operative Dentistry (Nihon University)

The goal of the Graduate School of Dentistry at Nihon University is to nurture the next generation of dental researchers and practitioners, with a focus on exemplary research to further advance the field. Graduate students are encouraged to present research papers with a view to their publication in journals. Operative Dentistry is a 2-3 year postgraduate dental course with tuition fees ranging from ¥750,000 – ¥850,000 (£3900 – £4500). 

Number 3: Orthodontics (Tohoku University)

Tohoku University’s mission is to educate dental professionals in advanced knowledge and enhanced skills in oral care and oral health. Graduates of the Orthodontics postgraduate dental course are expected to identify dental health problems and provide concrete solutions for patient care and treatment backed by foundational research. The 2-3 year postgraduate course tuition fees at Tohoku University range from ¥550,000 – ¥800,000 (£2900 – £4200). 

Number 2: Pediatric Dentistry (Niigata University)

Niigata University’s Faculty of Dentistry cultivates highly capable dental professionals with deep knowledge and skills in the field of dentistry. Pediatric Dentistry, along with Operative Dentistry, Orthodontics, Periodontology, and other courses, educate dentists in the development of dental medicine over two-three years. The tuition fees for each course range from ¥550,000 – ¥700,000 (£2900 – £3600). 

Number 1: Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics (The London Dental Institute)

The London Dental Institute provides all its students with UK-accredited postgraduate online diplomas in their chosen field. For working dentists who want to gain a greater understanding of the technical skills required for dentofacial orthopaedics and orthodontics, and excel in complex orthodontic cases, the Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics PG Dip. is the ideal course to embark on. 

With remote, flexible learning, a faculty of experts, and world-class resources, the LDi is the perfect postgraduate option without having to stop work, move, or incur any extra costs while studying. 

Benefits of Studying at the LDi

While Japan offers world-class options for working dentists to pursue further education and hone their clinical skills, the London Dental Institute offers many incredible benefits to its students, wherever they are in the world. 

All online diplomas are UK-accredited with the LDi, and postgraduate students can enjoy the following advantages: 

• Affordable Tuition Fees: At just £9,995, payable in 12 monthly instalments of £785, the course is a cost-effective investment in professional development. An initial payment of £575 secures your place on the course and covers the tuition for the first module. 
• 1 Year Of Study: While most postgraduate dental courses in Japan require you to undertake 2-3 years of full-time in-person study, at the LDi, each course is 12 months of part-time remote learning. 
• Flexible Study: Learn at your own pace with remote online learning, and continue to provide your patients with excellent care as you upskill. 
• World-Class Education: Study for a postgraduate diploma with us with mentoring provided by expert tutors over a 12-month course duration. 
• Cutting-Edge Resources: The LDi mobile app includes all the course materials you need to immerse yourself in education while on the go. 
• Virtual Learning Environment: The LDi’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) allows you to treat patients with your newly acquired skills while studying for your course and connect with fellow students, peers, and tutors along the way. 
• Practical Applications: The LDi Practical Training Kit is included in your chosen course cost, is delivered at no additional cost, and includes a full range of clinical tools, training models, and equipment. 

Discover Postgraduate Courses at the LDi

Continue your lifelong learning journey at the London Dental Institute, whether you’re a domestic or international student. Boost your clinical confidence, learn new skills, and take your career to the next level. 

Discover flexible and affordable course options with the London Dental Institute. Speak to an enrolment advisor, or click here to find out more today.