Dr. Hidehiko Sano received his DDS in 1983 and PhD in 1987 from the Faculty of Dentistry at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU). He began his professional journey at TMDU, serving as hospital staff and then Assistant Professor in the Department of Operative Dentistry from 1987 to 1989. He also held a visiting academic position as Adjunct Associate Professor at the Medical College of Georgia, USA, from 1992 to 1993.
He returned to TMDU as a Lecturer in Operative Dentistry from 1995 to 1997. In 1997, Dr. Sano was appointed Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, Hokkaido University, where he served until his retirement in 2023.
Dr. Sano’s research focus was broad, from clinical cariology to dentin adhesion. His extensive works opened up many new fields of research including introduction of nanoleakage and microtensile bond testing at the adhesive interfaces, and mechanisms of biodegradation of the resin/dentin bonds. These are just a few honorable mentions from his long listed research achievements.
Dr. Sano continues to be actively involved in academic and professional service. He was named Professor Emeritus of Hokkaido University in 2023 and currently serves as a Part-Time Lecturer at TMDU (since 2022), Visiting Scholar at Hokkaido University (2024–), and Visiting Professor at Asahi University (starting 2025). He also serves as Counselor to the Hokkaido University Rowing Team and Dental Arrow Co., Ltd. (since 2023). Prof. Sano was the recipient of the Hollenback prize from the Academy of Operative Dentistry.
Dr. Sano was introduced as the Honarary Member of IAAD during the 2025 meeting of the academy in Seattle, WA.
