Kyushu Dental University provides a variety of services to support student life both on and off campus, including a faculty advisor system, office hours system, support associations and alumni associations, and welfare and benefits programs.
Advisor system / Office hours system
The academic advisor system assigns faculty members to small student groups, providing guidance and support on both academic and personal matters. In the School of Dentistry, first- and second-year students are divided into groups of approximately 1, while in the School of Oral Health Sciences, first- and second-year students are grouped into units of approximately 2. Each group is assigned a faculty advisor who offers consultation and advice on academic progress and student life. This system is also implemented for fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-year dental students, where faculty advisors provide guidance in preparation for the common examinations required for clinical training and the National Dental Examination. In addition, an office hours system has been established to facilitate academic consultation with course instructors. Information on how to make appointments is provided in the syllabus. Faculty members’ email addresses are also available, allowing students to seek advice and consultation via email. These support systems are designed to provide academic guidance and enhance student life. Students are encouraged to make active use of these opportunities.
Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association is composed of the parents or guardians of students enrolled at Kyushu Dental University, including graduate students. Its activities include not only providing financial support for extracurricular activities and graduate research, but also actively contributing to the enhancement of education and research, the improvement of the educational environment, and the operation of the University. In addition, in cooperation with faculty and staff, the Association supports student guidance and welfare. It also provides its own mutual aid insurance program to help prepare for unforeseen accidents during student life. As a support organization that consistently represents the interests of parents and guardians, the Parents’ Association is highly developed compared with those of other dental universities in Japan and plays an important role.
Alumni Association
The Alumni Association has a long history alongside Kyushu Dental University and has made significant contributions to the development of both the dental profession and the University. It also provides various forms of support to help students develop into accomplished dental professionals. Continuing education seminars and symposia organized by the Alumni Association are highly regarded, and graduates benefit from a strong nationwide alumni network that offers support for career development and employment. In this way, the Alumni Association plays an essential role in supporting students from their time at the University through their professional careers after graduation.