[Expectations for prosthetic dentistry as a health science].

Prosthodontics is a practical science based on life sciences and health sciences, and takes a role to contribute to improvement of health/welfare of peoples. By prosthodontic researches including life sciences and health science, it will be proved that the practice of prosthetic dental treatments is important to health/welfare. In addition, our research activities are expected because of the demographic change caused by the increase of aging population. The scientific research activity of our society is one of the activities for main medical/dental care demanded definitely in the 21st century. Especially, promotion of brain research is just going to be expected. From a prosthodontic treatment point of view, the improvement of diagnostic study focusing on the examining method and the inspecting method is desired. It is included in a diagnosis to predict a degree of functional recovery after prosthodontic treatments. For the evaluation of masticatory function, the evaluating method for the organ and tissue constituting stomatognathic system is necessary as well as the evaluating method for masticatory function. It is hoped that efforts will be made to establish evaluating methods for each organ and tissue in stomatognathic system will be made. As a corporate judicial person, we must build up public-interest activities. It is necessary to provide sufficient information to all dentists in order to offer a quality prosthodontic care by improvement of diagnostic and treatment abilities. Moreover, it is necessary to practice active enlightenment activity about clinical significance of prosthodontic treatment, and to develop strategies to make peoples recognize "prosthodontics as a health science" widely.