A Decade-Long Vision for Dental Care: Aiming to Be Your Community's Oral Health Partner

Dr. Naoto Tajima grew up watching his father, a local general practitioner, at work. Following in his father's footsteps, Dr. Tajima is now dedicated to serving the community as a local dentist.

Text & Photograph by TANAKA Junko (OPENERS)

What Inspired You to Become a Doctor?

I grew up watching my father, who was a general practitioner, working day and night to treat his patients. Before I knew it, I found myself naturally heading down the path of medicine.

When Did the Desire to Open Your Own Practice Emerge?

I believe it was influenced by my father, but the desire to open my own practice began to form soon after I entered university. In dentistry, treatments performed today rarely deteriorate again within one or two years. However, the question is whether they will hold up five or ten years down the line. To face patients with that long-term perspective and provide truly effective treatment, I felt it was necessary to establish a place where I could dedicate myself to treatment.

Could You Tell Us About Your Treatment Philosophy?

I focus on preventive care. Eating is one of humanity's fundamental instincts. If dentures don't fit properly, making it difficult or impossible to eat, it can lead to severe malnutrition in some cases. My aim is to prevent such situations. Encouraging patients to visit for regular check-ups is crucial. I believe that consistently pursuing these efforts is important.

Additionally, I strive to make teeth look as beautiful as possible. When conversing, people tend to look from the eyes to the mouth (teeth) first. Whether it's crowns or dentures, while not strictly cosmetic dentistry, I want to provide treatments that enhance their appearance, helping patients regain their smiles.

What Should We Do Daily to Maintain Healthy Teeth?

We undergo comprehensive health check-ups and medical examinations even when we feel healthy, don't we? They are for checking our health status, even when there are no apparent issues.


The same applies to teeth. Once a tooth decays, it cannot be restored to its original healthy state. Therefore, prevention before problems arise is essential. For instance, having your teeth cleaned and checked for their health every three to four months can significantly contribute to maintaining healthy teeth.

Are There Any Other Habits You Recommend We Be Mindful Of?

When you notice plaque buildup, it's important to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Consciously chewing harder foods or increasing the number of chews is also important.

The act of chewing is said to increase blood flow and activate the brain. Chewing thoroughly produces ample saliva, which contains enzymes that break down food. Conversely, if you cannot chew properly and swallow food whole, it won't be effectively absorbed as nutrition and will place a burden on your stomach.

Do You Have Any Memorable Patient Stories?

A patient who visited us for the first time was in so much dental pain that they could barely walk. They hadn't been able to eat for about three weeks. After receiving dentures, they managed to come to their next appointment alone, albeit with a cane. It truly reinforced the importance of eating and chewing.

When Do You Feel Most Rewarded as a Doctor?

It's when patients express their gratitude, saying things like, 'The pain is gone,' 'I can chew again,' or 'My teeth look so much better, and I can smile with confidence.'

Eating is vital for people to live their lives to the fullest. Protecting that ability is our job. We aim to be your 'Oral Health Partner,' guiding the community towards better health through their mouths, and we will continue to dedicate ourselves to this mission.