News

Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, together with Japan Dental Hygiene Association Corporation (Location: Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Junichi Sawai, hereinafter "Japan Dental Hygiene Association"), has commenced investigation of Smart Dental Checkup™, a cloud-based dental checkup service for health insurance operators(*), with a view to its commercialization.
The business being investigated is a checkup service that performs diagnosis by digitizing the inside of the mouths of the examinees and that is intended for dental checkups conducted on groups such as workplaces. Digitizing such data will enable examinees to zoom in, zoom out and rotate 3D models of their teeth and gums on their smartphones so they can see every corner of their mouth, which was previously difficult to see directly. In addition, by sharing 3D models with their dentists via an online system, examinees can receive more precise advice from their dentists than previously possible.

(*) Applies to health services provided by insurers such as health insurance associations, Japan Health Insurance Association and mutual aid associations.

Prior to commencing investigation of its commercialization, the dental checkup service was offered on a trial basis to several health insurance associations, and it received many favorable comments from examinees such as "I was impressed by the 3D model of my teeth" and "I was prompted to visit a dental clinic." A change in behavior where people actually visited a dental clinic was also confirmed.

This service business is our first full-scale initiative in the medical field. We have been manufacturing and selling cutting tools for producing products such as parts of artificial joints for orthopedic surgery and prostheses (fillings and coverings) for dental surgery and this new business is expected to generate synergies with our existing businesses. In addition, medical and other life healthcare-related markets are expected to continue to grow in the future. In particular, since the Japanese government is investigating the introduction of a universal dental checkup system, the importance of dental checkups is expected to increase. Against this backdrop, we believe that commercializing this service will be an effective means of contributing to improving the rate of dental checkups and dental clinic visits.

Going forward, we will carry out investigation on development of the system for providing the service and the scheme of cooperation with Japan Dental Hygiene Association, with the aim of commercializing this system by the end of fiscal 2024 and achieving annual sales of 5 billion yen as soon as possible.

[Overview of the Smart Dental Checkup™ service]

The flow of this cloud-based service is shown below.

(1) Intraoral scanning

The examinee provides the necessary information in the questionnaire form on their smartphones in advance. At the checkup venue, a dental hygienist uses an intraoral scanner to 3D scan and photograph the examinee's teeth and gums. The questionnaire, 3D data and photo data are stored in the cloud and the dentist checks the examinee's condition and enters the checkup results.

(2) Viewing of the checkup results

The examinee uses their smartphones to view the checkup results website and check the condition and location of any cavities, prostheses, gingivitis, etc., their 3D models and photographs, and their dentist's findings. The 3D model and photographs contribute to a better understanding of the dentist's findings and enable comparison with past results to grasp changes over time of teeth shapes, falling gums, etc. Since checkup results can be viewed anytime on a smartphone, it is possible to consolidate management of the condition of one's own teeth and gums as a personal health record (PHR) over their lifetime.

(3) Online consultation with a dentist

In an online consultation, the examinee shares their checkup results, 3D models and photographs with their dentists. Examinees can use such information to discuss symptoms such as cavities or their concerns, making it possible to receive more precise advice than previously possible.
In addition to consultations on treatment, including treatment details and duration, dentists politely answer any concerns or questions examinees may have, such as regarding orthodontics and whitening and other aesthetic treatments and methods of daily care.

[Japan Dental Hygiene Association Corporation]

Overview of business

Promotion of dental health programs

Representative

Junichi Sawai, Representative Director

Establishment

April 1982

Address

4F K&K Building 2-12-1 Nakane, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

TEL

+81-3-3717-5655

Website

https://www.nihonshika.net/

<Contact details for inquiries>

Corporate Communications Dep., Management Strategy Div.,
Strategic Headquarters : +81-3-5252-5206