By Hiroshima University Department of Public Relations

Hiroshima University Executive Vice President Kazuhiro Tsuga was chosen as one of this year’s distinguished scientist awardees by the International Association for Dental Research.

The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) selected Hiroshima University (HU) Executive Vice President Kazuhiro Tsuga as one of its distinguished scientist awardees this year for his contributions to the field of geriatric oral research.

IADR announced Tsuga’s winning of the 2023 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Geriatric Oral Research last June 21 in Bogotá, Colombia during the opening ceremonies of its 101st General Session. He was one of the 17 renowned scientists recognized by IADR this year.

“The award is designed to stimulate, encourage, and recognize outstanding research accomplishments in the field of geriatric oral research. This is one of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards and is one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR,” IADR said.

Tsuga earned his bachelor’s and post-graduate degrees in dentistry at HU. As part of HU’s Department of Advanced Prosthodontics at the Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, he has published over 100 papers in scientific journals covering various topics from prosthodontics to gerodontology. He has also received the prestigious Watanabe Ikuma Award from the Japanese Society of Gerodontology in 2018.

“He is most highly regarded for his research on the oral function of old people, and the tongue pressure meter he developed has been widely used for detecting oral hypofunction in Japan. It has recently become available in Europe and Asia as well,” the IADR noted.

Tsuga is an editorial board member of the reputed journal Gerodontology. And for over 20 years, he has been a member of the IADR Geriatric Oral Research Group.

“I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the citizens who have cooperated with our researches, to my teachers and mentors for their guidance, to my seniors, and colleagues and juniors who have worked with me. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to Hiroshima University and the academic communities, including IADR, for fostering me as a researcher, and to the related ministries, agencies, and companies that have provided valuable research funds and technologies,” Tsuga said about the award.

“I will continue to work for the well-being of all mankind. Truly, thank you very much.”

Established in 1920, the IADR is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve global health and well-being through dental, oral, and craniofacial research.