Activities to Promote Oral and Overall Health Awareness

Driving awareness of periodontal disease prevention to extend healthy life expectancy (Japan)

In Japan, we are raising awareness about early detection and prevention of periodontal disease, and the role of oral health in extending healthy life expectancy . We hosted an oral health symposium in collaboration with the Japan Dental Association, featuring presentations by dental hygienists from the Sunstar Foundation. We also share information on signs of periodontal disease that can be noticed in daily life, the importance of daily self-care and professional dental care, and the relationship between periodontal disease and overall health. Through these activities, we are raising awareness about the importance of maintaining oral health.

Oral Health Symposium, Japan Dental Association

Support for pioneering periodontal disease research

We support cutting-edge research on periodontal disease worldwide. We provide support through the “World Periodontal Research Award,” presented to outstanding research papers on periodontal disease selected from four leading periodontal journals; the “Periodontal Link Award,” which recognizes contributions to advancing the understanding of the relationship between oral and systemic health; as well as the “Sunstar Award” and the “Young Investigator Award,” which are academic awards presented in collaboration with the Japanese Society of Periodontology.

Enhancing awareness of the importance of periodontal treatment in Asia pacific

Sunstar has long supported the Asian Pacific Society of Periodontology (APSP) by organizing seminars introducing outstanding research in periodontal disease treatment and hosting networking events for participants. As a Diamond Sponsor, Sunstar also supported the 15th APSP Congress held in Vietnam in 2024.

At the forefront of raising awareness of the link between periodontal disease and diabetes (Global)

At the “Sunstar Chapel Hill Symposium” held in the United States in 1997, Sunstar was the first to directly address issues related to oral and systemic health, including the link between periodontal disease and diabetes. Since then, the company has continued to focus on the relationship between oral and systemic health, conducting research and awareness-raising activities in collaboration with experts worldwide, as well as organizing symposia for healthcare professionals across the globe. Furthermore, through the “Hiroo Kaneda Research Grant” , Sunstar has supported international research opportunities for 23 young medical and dental researchers from 2009 to 2025, striving to foster talent engaged in research on the relationship between oral and systemic health. The company also organizes events in different countries to raise awareness among researchers, healthcare professionals, and patients about the link between periodontal disease and diabetes.

Partnering with FDI to advance sustainable dentistry (Global)

At Sunstar, we collaborate with the FDI World Dental Federation to drive progress in sustainable dentistry and environmentally responsible oral healthcare worldwide. Together, we support initiatives such as the Consensus Statement on Sustainability in Dentistry, the Pledge for Sustainability, and a range of practical tools.

These resources—including infographics, toolkits, and educational materials—equip dental professionals and patients to adopt more sustainable practices. By backing these initiatives, we help expand their reach and promote a more sustainable future for the global dental community.

Supporting the activities of dental hygienists worldwide (Global)

The Sunstar Group supports the work of dental hygienists around the world through awards and educational initiatives. The Sunstar Foundation continues to present the “World Dental Hygienist Award” at the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene (ISDH), the Award of Distinction Program in collaboration with the European Dental Hygienists Federation, and the “Sunstar Foundation Award (Academic Paper Award),” selected by the Japan Dental Hygienists Association. Sunstar Americas, in partnership with the professional journal RDH, continues to present the “Sunstar GUM/RDH Award of Distinction.” In Southeast Asia, we continue activities to develop skilled personnel, such as presenting the duties and techniques of Japanese dental hygienists to nurses and students involved in dental care.

Donation of toothbrushes to developing countries through the World Health Organization (Global)

The Sunstar Foundation supports the World Health Organization (WHO) in its efforts to collect and analyze survey data on the oral health status of countries and formulate policies for dental health measures. In addition, the Sunstar Group has continued to donate toothbrushes to developing countries in cooperation with the WHO since 2002. The total number of toothbrushes donated to each developing country through our activities to date is more than 1 million. The photo shows an example of 25,000 toothbrushes donated to the Republic of Palau in 2018, which were used to teach brushing to elementary school students.

In 2023 we participated in an oral health awareness campaign in the Republic of Palau. We have donated around 120,000 toothbrushes that will be distributed along with dental care instruction to all elementary schools in Palau, and we will also help evaluate the outcome of this campaign and the efficiency of maintaining a consistent oral care routine.

Promoting oral health in Colombia (Americas)

In July 2024, Sunstar Colombia hosted an oral health day for 150 children from low-income communities. The event featured fun, educational activities on brushing techniques and oral hygiene, using GUM products. Small prizes encouraged participation, and the initiative highlighted Sunstar’s dedication to health and education in underserved areas.

Raising awareness of the importance of oral care during disasters and donating relief supplies (Japan)

Following major disasters, water shortages make it difficult for people to brush their teeth and people’s oral hygiene tends to worsen. Oral care during evacuation has become a significant concern. Many Sunstar employees were affected by the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Drawing on this experience following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and onward, we have been raising awareness of the importance of oral care during times of disaster, and have provided oral care products as relief supplies, including toothbrushes and liquid toothpaste that can be used without water. In the aftermath of the Kumamoto earthquakes in 2016, Sunstar provided relief supplies and also created and distributed posters for display at evacuation sites containing tips on proper oral care. These posters continue to be used at evacuation sites during emergencies. In addition, we have developed “GUM Dental Rinse for Long-term Storage,” a liquid-type toothpaste with a shelf life of five years, which is being chosen by local governments and companies for emergency supplies in disasters.

Today, people have various evacuation options, including sheltering at home. We have updated our family emergency kit and food lists on our website to help people prepare according to their evacuation options.

We will continue raising awareness about the importance of oral care during disasters through initiatives including the Yamanashi Prefecture Public Lecture Series, the Gunma Prefecture Disaster Prevention Seminar hosted by the Medical Disaster Prevention Industry Creation Council, “Kobe Disaster Prevention Gathering” marking the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, various academic conferences and disaster prevention events nationwide in Japan.