I am Tomomi Tsuchiya, President of the Japanese Association of Orthodontics since June 2025. In this esteemed role, I feel a profound sense of responsibility to advance clinical orthodontics while ensuring the public receives safe and reliable treatment.

As a public interest corporation, we prioritize "quality assurance" in orthodontic practices, cultivate a "mindset of good medical professionals," and aim to positively influence the orthodontic industry. To become a qualified orthodontist, one must graduate from a dental university, complete specialized training, and gain substantial clinical experience. Our members are encouraged to present case reports at conferences, fostering a culture of shared learning and improved clinical outcomes.

Effective communication with patients is essential. We emphasize the importance of understanding and agreeing to the diagnostic treatment plan, costs, and potential challenges before commencing treatment. Given the ease of accessing information today, it is crucial to convey accurate knowledge to gain the public's trust.

As the landscape of orthodontics evolves, we remain committed to self-improvement and strengthening collaborations with related organizations to provide the highest standard of care to the public.

About JpAO
JpAO is the only association in Japan of private practitioners specializing only in orthodontics. We have approximately 450 members who have studied orthodontics in graduate school or authorized postgraduate orthodontic programs. Members are experienced, skillful, professional orthodontists providing high quality treatment and care to patients. 

JpAO aims to develop public awareness about orthodontics while at the same time providing a professional network for private practitioners of orthodontics in Japan.

In 2023, we commemorated our 50th anniversary. We are committed to continued hard work in our communities and to establish the field of orthodontics as a dental specialization.

What we do

PUBLIC AWARENESS
Since public education and awareness of oral health and related psycho-social issues are the cornerstones of JpAO, we conduct patient education seminars on topics such as the benefits of a good smile and dental health. We also run an annual nationwide Brace Smile Contest. This contest has proven popular and is extending beyond Japan, to Korea and Taiwan through the Korean Society of Orthodontists (KSO) in 2015 and the Taiwan Association of Orthodontists (TAO) in 2016.

PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
JpAO provides lectures and a journal to improve knowledge and clinical skills in the field of orthodontics. We also conduct several conferences and meetings towards this aim.

In February JpAO holds an annual conference on scientific and clinical themes; while the June annual meeting focuses on the business aspects of practice management.

The Conference Planning Committee and the Board have been busy planning our annual conference, which will be held Feb 16-17, 2022 in Sapporo, Hokkaido and Feb 21-22, 2023 in Fukuoka.

Details on upcoming conference schedules, registration, and opportunities for sponsorship will be posted online soon.

Patient transfer support
For relocating patients - domestically or internationally - JpAO can also provide assistance. In order to provide high quality service to patients, our nationwide network makes it easy to facilitate the smooth transfer of patients when relocation is necessary. We also support systematic treatment fee transfer or refund to ensure the transition is done agreeably for both doctors and patients.

We have also added socially responsible programs to our line up. This includes online consultations for those under going treatment and the provision of financial assistance to orthodontic patients for those affected by the 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

Please join us!

Thank you again to the members of JpAO. Each member is important in achieving JpAOfs mission. As we move the organization forward, I extend an invitation to each of you to become involved in JpAO through active participation in our conferences, seminars and committees.

I am looking forward to another rewarding year of service to JpAO with each of you.