Learning puts to life in Kitakyushu: Kyushu Dental University's regional collaboration in "dental care and health"
Kyushu Dental University, a public university corporation (located in Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City), collaborated with Itozu no Mori Park to hold an experiential event called "Always Happy Classroom."
This event was a new community collaboration initiative initiated by our university, with student ambassadors taking the lead in planning, operation, and public relations.
Approximately 90 people participated on the day, making it a valuable opportunity to experience significant results both in terms of university public relations activities and contributions to the local community.
In Fukuoka Prefecture, under the One Health philosophy, which aims to comprehensively protect "human health," "animal health," and "environmental health," various health, environmental, and coexistence policies are being promoted.
This event, utilizing the zoo setting, provided children with an experiential opportunity to learn about the importance of teeth (oral health) and overall health, as well as the ability to eat. From a One Health perspective, it also offered a fun way to learn about coexistence between humans and animals and how to promote health.
Itozu Forest Park website: Itozu Forest Park ~A gateway connecting citizens with nature~
Event Overview
- Event name: Happy Classroom Forever
- Date: January 12, 2026 (Monday, Coming-of-Age Day)
- Venue: Itozu no Mori Park (4-1-8 Kami-Itozu, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City)
- Organizers: Kyushu Dental University, Itozu no Mori Park
Initiatives as a university open to the community
Kyushu Dental University and Itozu no Mori Park are both institutions rooted in the local Kitakyushu City, and both consider contributing to the local community to be an important mission.
This event utilized Itozu no Mori Park, also located in Kitakyushu, and offered a variety of programs, including puppet shows, quizzes, and comparisons of animal teeth and human teeth, allowing people of all ages to deepen their understanding of health while having fun.
Parents commented that they "learned while having fun as a family" and that "the children actively participated," and the event received a great response as a way to create opportunities for interaction with local residents.
The activities of student ambassadors
This event was attended by student ambassadors, primarily students aspiring to become dentists and dental hygienists, who took the lead in everything from pre-event preparations to on-the-day operations and visitor support.
The students gained practical experience learning about their role as dental professionals and how to interact with society by directly interacting with local children.
The participating students commented, "We were able to realize that our learning is useful to the community," and "We realized that the way we communicated led to positive responses from the children," indicating that significant educational results were achieved.
Results visible from the survey
In a survey conducted after the event, many positive comments were received, such as "The content was easy to understand" and "Not only children but adults also enjoyed it."
In particular, many people commented that student-involved programs were "approachable" and "reassuring," clearly indicating that university community service activities are widely accepted.
Furthermore, responses such as "I became interested in working in dental care" and "I would like to participate in a similar event again" indicated that the event served as an opportunity to foster an understanding of the profession and develop career awareness.
Teacher's comments
Kyushu Dental University emphasizes education that connects learning with practice, and conducts numerous experiential learning and volunteer activities in collaboration with the local community.
Through student ambassadorship and volunteer activities, you can acquire not only specialized knowledge but also interpersonal skills and social abilities.
This initiative demonstrates one aspect of Kyushu Dental University's education, where "learning is applied to the local community," and we hope it will serve as an opportunity for high school students aspiring to become dental professionals to concretely envision their future studies. (Naofumi Honda, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Health)
The Next Development
Based on these results, Kyushu Dental University plans to continue its educational and awareness-raising activities in collaboration with the local community.
Through a cycle in which students learn and grow within the local community and then give back that learning to society, we aim to simultaneously cultivate the next generation of dental professionals and contribute to the local community.
Contact
Kyushu Dental University
Kayoko Kuroishi (Division of Orofacial Functions and Orthodontics)
Naoki Honda (Department of Oral Health)
Hiroshi Ikeda (Division of Biomaterials)
E-mail: r18honda■fa.kyu-dent.ac.jp
*When sending, please replace ■ with @.
About Kyushu Dental University, a public university corporation
Kyushu Dental University is the only public university among all dental faculties and universities in Japan, and is a "comprehensive university of oral medicine" consisting of the Department of Dentistry and the Department of Oral Health. Our view of dentistry is that it is medical care that supports daily life and happiness through "oral health." We are committed to training dental professionals in our Faculty of Dentistry and Graduate School of Dentistry. Furthermore, our affiliated hospital, established in 1914, has continued to serve as a core hospital with specialized dental care closely connected to the local community.
Outline
School name: Kyushu Dental University
Location: 2-6-1 Manazuru, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture
President: Shuji Awano
Founded: 1914
*HP:https://www.kyu-dent.ac.jp/
* Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kyushudentaluniversity
*X (Comprehensive Research Center for Oral Medicine):https://x.com/KDU_OMIC