This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）
A foreign dental licence does not allow you to perform dental treatment in Japan, even privately funded treatment. If you do not treat patients yourself, however, and instead employ a dentist who holds a Japanese dental licence while you concentrate on management, you can open a dental clinic. The status of residence you need in that case is 在留資格「経営・管理」 (Business Manager).
Someone who holds only a United States dental licence wants to open a privately funded dental clinic in Japan.
Yes. Whether the treatment is covered by insurance or privately funded, a Japanese dental licence is required for dental treatment.
The first important point to convey is that a "Japanese dental licence" is required in order to perform dental treatment in Japan, even where the treatment is privately funded.
Under Japanese law (the 医師法 (Medical Practitioners Act) and the 歯科医師法 (Dental Practitioners Act)), whether the treatment is privately funded or covered by insurance, treatment of the human body is defined as the "practice of medicine", and treatment by a person who holds no licence is prohibited. Even treatment outside insurance cover, such as whitening, is dental treatment, and so a Japanese national qualification is required.
You cannot. You need to pass the Japanese national dental examination and obtain a licence.
A dental licence obtained in the United States cannot be used as it is in Japan.
The Japanese dental licence is granted through a national examination, which may be taken by those who have graduated from a Japanese university (faculty of dentistry), or who have gone through a special procedure on the basis of a foreign qualification.
The above procedure takes years, so obtaining the licence within a short period is difficult.
You can. It is possible if you employ a dentist who holds a Japanese dental licence and confine yourself to management.
If you do not perform treatment yourself, and employ a dentist who holds a Japanese dental licence while doing only the management, you can be involved in Japan as the manager of a dental clinic.
The status of residence you need in that case is 「経営・管理」. This status of residence is not for performing medical treatment but for running and managing a business. In other words, the dental treatment is performed by the qualified dentist you employ, while you occupy the position of representative and owner of the clinic.
You also need to have secured a full-time dentist holding a Japanese dental licence to take charge of the treatment. The 歯科医師法 contains no nationality requirement; if a person holds a Japanese dental licence, their nationality is not asked. That Act allows those who have graduated from a foreign dental school, among others, to sit the national examination, so you may also take on a dentist of foreign nationality who holds a Japanese licence.
Start by considering the business scheme, then put the premises, the company, the staff and the notification to the public health centre in place before applying for the status of residence.
Setting up a medical corporation takes more work and more time than an ordinary incorporation, and it is fair to say that it is difficult to carry through on your own. Please first consult a professional who provides support in this field.
The legal risk is high, and we cannot recommend it.
Some people consider a salon-like arrangement in which whitening is offered as a beauty service rather than as medical treatment, but this is a very grey area.
We therefore suggest that you employ a dentist who holds a Japanese dental licence and open a formal dental clinic. To open and run the clinic lawfully and stably, it is important to understand the Japanese legal system and to prepare in co-operation with specialists.
Even privately funded treatment outside insurance cover is dental treatment, and so a Japanese dental licence is required. Under Japanese law, treatment of the human body is defined as the "practice of medicine", whether it is privately funded or covered by insurance.
Submit an "application for confirmation of a foreign dental licence" to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. If it is approved on examination, you gain eligibility to sit the Japanese national dental examination. If you pass, you can obtain the licence, but it takes years.
It is 「経営・管理」. This status of residence is not for performing medical treatment but for running and managing a business. The treatment is taken care of by the qualified dentist you employ, and you occupy the position of representative and owner.
As a rule, a contribution of capital of at least 30 million yen (3,000万円) is required. Incorporation of a company, securing premises to be used as a clinic, and a clear business plan with continuity are also required.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.