31st IAPD Congress Looking to
the Future of
Paediatric Dentistry

Dates: June 2-5 2027 Location : Osaka, Japan

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14/04/2026 IAPD 2027 Official Website Updated

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A word of Welcome

On behalf of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry and the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry, it is our great pleasure to invite you to the 31st IAPD Congress in Osaka, Japan, from 2 to 5 June 2027. We feel immense pride in taking up the baton passed down by the thirty cities that have hosted previous congresses, their respective national societies, and all those involved. At the same time, we keenly feel the weight of responsibility this entails.

Now, the Japanese language has many proverbs composed of four kanji characters, each containing profound meaning or lessons. One such proverb is "十年一昔" (junen hitomukashi), which in English might be expressed as "ten years could seem like a million years ago". The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, profoundly changed the world. Yet, paying close attention to daily news, one realises that even before this, and continuing to this day, each country we live in and the whole international community have been in a state of constant change—politics, economics, people's lives, and healthcare, which touches upon all these. Paediatric dentistry also continues to generate new challenges and achievements daily in research and practice. We are all living in a world different not just from ten years ago, but even from ten days ago. In such a world, people tend to be captivated by mere novelty, which is anything different from what they have experienced or seen before.

Prof
Kazuhiko Nakano

IAPD 2027 Congress Chair

However, Japan has another proverb concerning the value of time: "温故知新" (onko chishin), which translates as "warm up the old again to know the new". It means revisiting old knowledge, past discoveries, and the practices built upon them by our predecessors, examining them anew from a contemporary perspective to gain fresh insights. This act of reflection generates even greater value when it transcends not only eras but also national borders. We have set the theme for the 31st IAPD Congress as "Looking to the Future of Paediatric Dentistry", emphasising the spirit of "onko chishin" as its core. We aim for these three days to be an occasion where as many participants as possible share their own established knowledge, gain diverse new insights from one another, and together pioneer new horizons in paediatric dentistry. We are making thorough preparations to ensure this.

Moreover, this congress theme resonates with the host city of Osaka. Osaka has flourished for centuries as Japan's political and cultural centre. Even after the capital function moved to Tokyo 500 years ago, it has remained a commercial hub where numerous major corporations still maintain their headquarters. Osaka is also Japan's only city to have hosted two World Expositions, in 1970 and 2025, embodying a spirit brimming with cross-border intellectual curiosity and pioneering ambition. Incidentally, the people of Osaka, the mecca of Japanese comedy, genuinely love to laugh heartily. Precisely for this reason, it is also a city where maintaining healthy teeth and sound oral hygiene from childhood onwards is of paramount importance.

Osaka is a city where reverence for the past and ambition for the future converge in administration, business, academia, and dental healthcare. We sincerely hope that at the 31st IAPD Congress, your knowledge, insights, and experience – your assets – will illuminate the path forward and guide the dental hygiene and health of future generations to even greater heights.

Matte Masse! (We await you with the utmost anticipation and excitement!)

Local Organizing Committee

Congress Chair

Prof. Kazuhiko NAKANO

- Department of Pediatric Dentistry,Graduate School of Dentistry, The University of Osaka
- Chair of Committee on International Affairs of JSPD

Congress Vice Chair

Prof. Kyoko OKA

- Section of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Oral Growth and Development, Fukuoka Dental College
- Chair of Commitee on Specialist and Certification System Design of JSPD

Congress Vice Chair

Dr. Norihito ISHITANI

- Ishitani Clinic of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Kagoshima
- Chair of Committee on Public Relations of JSPD

Scientific Committee Chair

Prof. Michiyo MATSUMOTO-NAKANO

- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Editor-in-chief of Pediatric Dental Journal

Social Events Committee Chair

Prof. Kazumasa MORIKAWA

- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Kyushu Dental University
- Chair of Committee on Science of JSPD

Social Events Committee Chair

Dr. Takanobu HARUKI

- Haruki Pedo & Orthodontic Office, Hyogo
- Auditor of Kansai Brunch of JSPD

International Affairs Committee Chair

Prof. Issei SAITO

- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Structure, Function and Development, Asahi University School of Dentistry
- Chair of Committee on Research Ethics of JSPD

Public Relations Committee Chair

Dr. Nobuyuki ISHII

- Ishii Ortho-Pedo Dental Clinic, Hyogo
- Executive Committee Member of Kansai Branch of JSPD

Sponsoring Committee Chair

Dr. Atsuyoshi OKAMOTO

- Okamoto Pedodontics & Orthidontics Clinic, Hyogo
- Executive Committee Member of Kansai Branch of JSPD

Treasurer

Dr. Akinobu TANAKA

- Koujinkai Medical Corporation, TANAKA Dental Clinic, Ibaraki
- Member of Committee of International Affairs of JSPD

Secretary General

Assoc. Prof. Rena OKAWA

- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Graduate School of Dentistry, The University of Osaka
- Member of Committee on International Affairs of JSPD

Appointed PCO

Mr. Satoshi SHIBATA

- Oral Health Association of Japan

Greeting

We are pleased to announce that the 31st IAPD Congress will be held in Osaka, Japan, from 2nd to 5th June 2027. These are the days we have been looking forward to for more than 30 years. As the 13th congress held in Kyoto in 1991, we expect the venue to be filled with very active discussions across national borders. With significant changes in people's lifestyles, social environments, and medical policies, the responsibilities and challenges of pediatric dentistry have evolved worldwide. Namely, it is obvious that the expectations for pediatric dentistry and the possibilities for its contributions are diversifying. I’m sure that your valuable experiences, insights, and perspectives will give your global fellows a broader, deeper, and more future-oriented understanding of pediatric dentistry. So please come and join us in Osaka. It will offer numerous learning opportunities that will contribute to your research and clinical practice, as well as cultural experiences that will enrich your life. All members of JSPD look forward to seeing you in Osaka, Japan.

Seikou Shintani

President, JSPD

I am so delighted that the 31st IAPD Congress will be held in Osaka in 2027. Japan has universal health insurance, meaning that children, in particular, can receive dental treatment without any out-of-pocket expenses. JSPD, the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry, is working in this environment to improve pediatric dental care by establishing a specialist certification system and developing a system to provide higher-level dental care to the public. Regarding oral function, we have established new diagnostic methods and begun approaches for children with developmental disabilities. On the other hand, dental health systems across countries vary due to differences in demographics, psychographics, cultural habits, and practices. Despite these differences, we believe that sharing information and acquiring new knowledge will contribute to pediatric dental care in each country. Therefore, it is significant to bring together pediatric dental specialists from various countries and to promote exchanges. I hope that IAPD2027 will be the opportunity.
I look forward to seeing many of you in Osaka and helping to further invigorate IAPD2027.

Prof. Satoshi Fukumoto

President-elect, JSPD

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to Osaka, Japan, for the 31st Congress of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD), to be held 2–5 June 2027. Hosted by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry, this important global gathering will celebrate scientific excellence, collaboration, and our shared commitment to improving children’s oral health worldwide.
The IAPD Congress represents the premier international forum for paediatric dentistry, bringing together clinicians, researchers, educators, and allied health professionals from across the globe. Osaka 2027 will feature a carefully curated scientific programme addressing contemporary challenges and emerging innovations in child oral health. Delegates can expect evidence-based updates in clinical care, preventive and minimally invasive dentistry, trauma management, behavioural sciences, public health, and digital technologies that are shaping the future of our specialty.
Japan is internationally recognised for its leadership in healthcare innovation and preventive dental care. The Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry has a distinguished reputation for academic rigor and professional leadership, and I am confident that this congress will set new standards in scientific quality and organisational excellence. Renowned experts and emerging leaders will share insights that inform practice, inspire research, and strengthen global professional networks.
Beyond the scientific programme, Osaka offers an unforgettable cultural experience. Known for its hospitality, rich traditions, and vibrant culinary scene, the city provides an ideal setting for collegial exchange, networking, and lasting friendships within our global paediatric dental community.
As we look ahead to Osaka 2027, our mission remains clear: to advance the oral health and wellbeing of children through science, education, advocacy, and partnership. I warmly encourage you to join us in Osaka, contribute your expertise, and engage with colleagues dedicated to improving the lives of children and families around the world.
On behalf of IAPD, I extend sincere appreciation to the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the Organising Committee, and all partners whose dedication will ensure an outstanding congress.
I look forward to welcoming you to Osaka in June 2027.