[Encouragement for developing research mind of dental students]

The School of Dental Medicine in Japan nurtures well-trained professionals who are at the cutting edge of the present knowledge in the fields of Dentistry and Dental Technology. As an important part of its mission, many Schools of Dental Medicine in Japan, including Hokkaido University, also encourages dental students to pursue basic research in the many aspects of Dentistry. It is of importance to cultivate research-minded students in Dental Medicine. Laboratory assignment conducted by the School of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, is one process of education curriculum to assign students in the fifth and sixth grade to laboratories of basic sciences. Every dental student should belong to one laboratory, which accepts the fixed number of the students. By means of the research activity of the laboratory assignments, some students obtain new insights on their research projects, and will often have an opportunity for presenting their findings in some academic meetings. Meanwhile, many academic meetings in Japan, including The Japanese Association of Anatomists, often feature special sessions where undergraduate students can present their findings under the guidance of their mentors. Such initiatives led by the Dental School and the academic meetings are geared towards raising interest in research and preparing young investigators for the future.