The aim of the present study was to gather information to clarify the scope of oral health services in Asia, focusing particularly on the role of dental hygienists, anticipating that international exchange of data on oral health would benefit the establishment of such systems in other countries. Data on oral health providers were obtained from reliable sources, cited reports and professional websites, or from embassies of Asian countries located in Japan. The embassies were contacted by email, telephone, post, or interview. The survey was conducted from February 1, 2015, until June 18, 2019. Twenty-eight countries in Asia were selected according to their classification by the United Nations. Among them, 14 countries were found to recognize the professional status of dental hygienists. Nine of the 28 countries had no working dental hygienists, and their role was taken by other oral hygiene providers. It was unclear whether oral hygiene providers were operating in 5 of those countries. Many countries were found to lack formal oral health systems, and some had limited systems in rural areas. Dental hygienists work to prevent oral diseases in order to protect teeth and gums, as is the case in Japan. However, other oral health providers offer other dental services in other Asian countries, probably depending on individual national circumstances.

本研究的目的是收集信息以阐明亚洲口腔卫生服务的范围，尤其侧重于牙齿卫生学家的作用，并预期国际口腔卫生数据交换将有益于其他国家建立此类系统。口腔健康服务提供者的数据来自可靠的来源，引用的报告和专业网站，或来自位于日本的亚洲国家的使馆。通过电子邮件，电话，邮寄或面谈方式联系了使馆。该调查于2015年2月1日至2019年6月18日进行。联合国根据其分类选择了28个亚洲国家。其中，有14个国家/地区承认牙科保健员的专业地位。在28个国家中，有9个没有工作的牙科保健师，他们的角色由其他口腔卫生服务提供者承担。目前尚不清楚这些国家中有5个国家是否在经营口腔卫生服务提供者。发现许多国家缺乏正式的口腔卫生系统，而有些国家的农村地区系统有限。牙齿卫生学家致力于预防口腔疾病，以保护牙齿和牙龈，例如在日本。但是，其他口腔保健服务提供商可能会在其他亚洲国家/地区提供其他牙科服务，这可能取决于具体的国情。就像日本一样。但是，其他口腔保健服务提供者可能会在其他亚洲国家/地区提供其他牙科服务，这可能取决于具体的国情。就像日本一样。但是，其他口腔保健服务提供者可能会在其他亚洲国家/地区提供其他牙科服务，这可能取决于具体的国情。