Innovative Experience Class Program for Dental Hygienists by Oh my teeth and OralX
On November 17, 2025, Kanazawa Medical Technology School in Ishikawa Prefecture hosted a unique experience class aimed at aspiring dental hygienists, focusing on the field of orthodontics. This project was a collaboration between the innovative mouthpiece orthodontic brand "Oh my teeth" and the non-profit organization OralX. The goal was to provide students with hands-on experience using a 3D intraoral scanner and to engage with practicing dental hygienists, thereby allowing them to actively shape their future careers.
The initiative to integrate orthodontics into the curriculum at Kanazawa Medical Technology School is driven by the pressing issue of early attrition among dental hygienists. Data from the Japan Dental Hygienists Association shows that nearly 80% of dental hygienists experience job changes during their career. A significant reason behind this is the mismatch between expectations and reality in the job market, where many students perceive the role of a dental hygienist primarily as assisting in general dentistry.
The purpose of this class was not merely to introduce technology but to expand students' perspectives by adding orthodontics as a viable career path. This aligns with Oh my teeth’s mission to help students discover the field that allows them to shine, resonating with the educational philosophy of Kanazawa Medical Technology School, which aims to cultivate professionals supporting local healthcare.
A highlight of the class was the hands-on experience with the 3D intraoral scanner, "iTero," typically found in dental clinics. This state-of-the-art equipment was specially brought into the classroom for this occasion. Students were energized by the opportunity to interact with such advanced technology, watching as their dental structures were scanned and transformed into digital data in real-time. The excitement was palpable as they exclaimed, "Wow! This is how advanced orthodontics has become!" while sharing tips and insights amongst themselves.
The latter half of the session featured interactive discussions with active dental hygienists, including a session led by Yukako, a prominent figure in the field. Students engaged with questions such as, "What are the key motivations in your job?" and "What do you prioritize in patient interactions?" These conversations highlighted the students' sincere contemplation about their futures.
The focused demeanor of the students conveyed a growing sense of responsibility as future professionals committed to supporting their communities. The enthusiasm continued beyond the class, with approximately 40% of students expressing interest in visiting orthodontic clinics immediately after the session. This eagerness reflects how experiencing the orthodontics field allowed many students to clearly imagine their future selves.
The feedback gathered from the students after the class was overwhelmingly positive. Comments such as "I had anxieties regarding my career, but hearing from professionals made me excited for the future!" and "I now have more choices, and I’m grateful for the new knowledge gained at this school!" emphasize the effectiveness of this program.
Kanazawa Medical Technology School (ISIS) is dedicated to contributing to regional healthcare and cultivating practical personnel who can immediately engage in clinical settings. One unique focus of the school is promoting dual licensure as a dental hygienist and dental technician, a program initiated four years ago that has already produced 15 dual license holders. Of the 20 students participating in this experience class, nine already hold national licenses as dental technicians, demonstrating their preparedness to enter clinical settings equipped with both creation and communication skills.
In 2026, the school plans to further evolve its educational structure by renaming it to the "Dental Hygiene Technology Department," aiming to foster professionals with multifaceted perspectives in an increasingly digitalized dental industry.
Both Oh my teeth and OralX regard this initiative as a "continuing investment" in the future of Japanese dental healthcare. They plan to use this experience program at Kanazawa Medical Technology School as a model for expanding collaborations with dental hygienist schools nationwide. Through practical training using tools like the iTero scanner, site visits, and interactions with current dental hygienists, they are determined to provide opportunities that prevent students from narrowing their career paths simply due to unfamiliarity.
As we encourage educational institutions that share this vision to reach out, we look forward to supporting initiatives that allow students to explore the orthodontic field and make informed choices that will lead to fulfilling and successful careers in dental healthcare.
Yuta Igarashi, OralX
As we envision the future, dental hygienists must evolve from mere assistants to creative contributors who support patients' life-changing experiences using the latest technology. The goal is to provide students with an exciting first-hand experience of what dental care can offer in a supportive environment. Such preparatory experiences will not only benefit the students but also illuminate the future of the dental sector as a whole. Together with various educational institutions, we aspire to expand these opportunities.
Understanding the Relevance of Orthodontics Education
The initiative to integrate orthodontics into the curriculum at Kanazawa Medical Technology School is driven by the pressing issue of early attrition among dental hygienists. Data from the Japan Dental Hygienists Association shows that nearly 80% of dental hygienists experience job changes during their career. A significant reason behind this is the mismatch between expectations and reality in the job market, where many students perceive the role of a dental hygienist primarily as assisting in general dentistry.
Transforming "Unknown" into "Choices"
The purpose of this class was not merely to introduce technology but to expand students' perspectives by adding orthodontics as a viable career path. This aligns with Oh my teeth’s mission to help students discover the field that allows them to shine, resonating with the educational philosophy of Kanazawa Medical Technology School, which aims to cultivate professionals supporting local healthcare.
Engaging Students with Cutting-Edge Technology
A highlight of the class was the hands-on experience with the 3D intraoral scanner, "iTero," typically found in dental clinics. This state-of-the-art equipment was specially brought into the classroom for this occasion. Students were energized by the opportunity to interact with such advanced technology, watching as their dental structures were scanned and transformed into digital data in real-time. The excitement was palpable as they exclaimed, "Wow! This is how advanced orthodontics has become!" while sharing tips and insights amongst themselves.
Real Conversations with Experienced Hygienists
The latter half of the session featured interactive discussions with active dental hygienists, including a session led by Yukako, a prominent figure in the field. Students engaged with questions such as, "What are the key motivations in your job?" and "What do you prioritize in patient interactions?" These conversations highlighted the students' sincere contemplation about their futures.
Positive Changes Among Students
The focused demeanor of the students conveyed a growing sense of responsibility as future professionals committed to supporting their communities. The enthusiasm continued beyond the class, with approximately 40% of students expressing interest in visiting orthodontic clinics immediately after the session. This eagerness reflects how experiencing the orthodontics field allowed many students to clearly imagine their future selves.
The feedback gathered from the students after the class was overwhelmingly positive. Comments such as "I had anxieties regarding my career, but hearing from professionals made me excited for the future!" and "I now have more choices, and I’m grateful for the new knowledge gained at this school!" emphasize the effectiveness of this program.
Advancing Dental Education at Kanazawa Medical Technology School
Kanazawa Medical Technology School (ISIS) is dedicated to contributing to regional healthcare and cultivating practical personnel who can immediately engage in clinical settings. One unique focus of the school is promoting dual licensure as a dental hygienist and dental technician, a program initiated four years ago that has already produced 15 dual license holders. Of the 20 students participating in this experience class, nine already hold national licenses as dental technicians, demonstrating their preparedness to enter clinical settings equipped with both creation and communication skills.
In 2026, the school plans to further evolve its educational structure by renaming it to the "Dental Hygiene Technology Department," aiming to foster professionals with multifaceted perspectives in an increasingly digitalized dental industry.
Collaborative Future in Dental Education
Both Oh my teeth and OralX regard this initiative as a "continuing investment" in the future of Japanese dental healthcare. They plan to use this experience program at Kanazawa Medical Technology School as a model for expanding collaborations with dental hygienist schools nationwide. Through practical training using tools like the iTero scanner, site visits, and interactions with current dental hygienists, they are determined to provide opportunities that prevent students from narrowing their career paths simply due to unfamiliarity.
As we encourage educational institutions that share this vision to reach out, we look forward to supporting initiatives that allow students to explore the orthodontic field and make informed choices that will lead to fulfilling and successful careers in dental healthcare.
Message from Project Leader
Yuta Igarashi, OralX
As we envision the future, dental hygienists must evolve from mere assistants to creative contributors who support patients' life-changing experiences using the latest technology. The goal is to provide students with an exciting first-hand experience of what dental care can offer in a supportive environment. Such preparatory experiences will not only benefit the students but also illuminate the future of the dental sector as a whole. Together with various educational institutions, we aspire to expand these opportunities.
Topics Health）
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