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Busan Consolidates Achievements in Dental Industry Development, Further Strengthening the Case for Hosting the National Institute of Dental Research

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Busan Metropolitan City Mayor Park Heong-joon announced that the City will host the “2025 Dental Industry Performance Briefing” at 2:00 p.m. today (December 16) at The Westin Josun Busan in Haeundae-gu, under the auspices of Busan Techno Park.

At the event, Busan Metropolitan City will comprehensively share the justification and promotion strategy for attracting the National Institute of Dental Research to Busan, as well as major achievements made this year in the dental industry.

The briefing has been organized as a platform to strengthen cooperation networks among industry, academia, research institutions, government, and the medical community, with approximately 50 participants expected, including representatives from the dental industry, academic and medical sectors, related associations, and local companies.

Key programs include lectures on artificial intelligence–based dental industry trends and strategies for hosting the National Institute of Dental Research in Busan; presentations of achievements by companies participating in the Dental Digital Transformation Technology Platform Development Project; expert consultations; and networking exchanges.

Part 1: Lectures on AI-Based Dental Industry Trends and Strategies for Hosting the National Institute of Dental Research in Busan

In Part 1, lectures will be delivered on artificial intelligence–based dental industry trends and strategies for attracting the National Institute of Dental Research to Busan.

The first lecture will be given by Kim Young-jun, CEO of Imagoworks, a global leader in the field of digital dentistry. Under the theme “Artificial Intelligence–Based Dental Industry Trends and Digital Transformation Strategies,” he will explain the latest technological changes and industry outlook.

Using the company’s digital dental solutions as examples, CEO Kim will introduce how artificial intelligence technologies are rapidly expanding across the entire clinical process—from diagnosis and treatment planning to procedures—while highlighting trends such as improved diagnostic accuracy, automated treatment planning, 3D printing–based customized prosthetic design, and the standardization of clinical procedures, all of which are accelerating digital innovation across the dental industry.

Next, Kim Seong-sik, Dean of the School of Dentistry at Pusan National University, will present a roadmap outlining the feasibility and promotion strategy for establishing the National Institute of Dental Research.

Dean Kim will comprehensively present Busan’s strengths in the dental industry, clinical practice, and education, along with the national-level need to establish a central hub for dental research.

Busan is a major center of dentistry with one of the highest levels of dental care infrastructure outside the Seoul metropolitan area, including 1,356 dental clinics and hospitals, 486 dental laboratories, and 5,188 dental professionals, supported by an educational ecosystem that produces specialized talent through 11 universities.

In addition, Busan accounts for 63.7 percent of the nation’s dental materials production and 36.3 percent of exports, making it the largest dental industry hub in Korea. It is also the birthplace of the country’s first dental implant and home to production facilities operated by four of the nation’s top ten dental companies, including Osstem Implant, Dio, Cowellmedi, and Point Implant, demonstrating strong global competitiveness.

Furthermore, Busan will emphasize that it offers optimal conditions for hosting the institute, with global exhibition and medical tourism infrastructure, a prime location in the Myeongji International City area, and strong linkages with nearby innovation zones such as Eco Delta City and research and development special zones, enabling close integration of research, industry, and clinical practice.

Part 2: Presentations on Achievements of the Dental Digital Transformation Technology Platform Project

In Part 2, presentations will be given on major achievements by participating companies in the Dental Digital Transformation Technology Platform Development Project 추진 by Busan Techno Park in 2025, along with expert consultations.

The project aims to promote technological innovation and commercialization among local companies by supporting the dissemination of new technologies, prototype production, product approval and certification, patent support, domestic and overseas market expansion, and the establishment of public–private cooperation networks.

This year, support was provided for product development and approval (eight cases), participation in overseas exhibitions (five cases), participation in domestic exhibitions (four cases), and the production of promotional materials (24 cases). At the event, 13 companies—among those that received technical support and participated in overseas exhibitions—will present their achievements.

The presentations will share technological outcomes and global expansion cases in key future dental technology fields, including artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and digital diagnostics. Through expert consultations, evaluations will be conducted on technology advancement and market entry strategies.

Busan Metropolitan City expects that these presentations and consultations will strengthen the digital transformation capabilities of local companies and expand the foundation for innovation across the dental industry.

Jeong Na-young, Director General of the City’s Future Technology Strategy Bureau, stated, “This performance briefing serves as an opportunity to review the technological achievements of Busan’s dental industry and lay the groundwork for a leap forward through digital transformation.”

She added, “The establishment of the National Institute of Dental Research is a key national task to strengthen research capabilities, and Busan—where research, industry, and clinical practice are closely interconnected—is the optimal location.”

She further emphasized that the City will “strengthen collaboration among industry, academia, research institutions, and the medical community to invigorate the dental industry’s new growth ecosystem and concentrate its efforts on attracting the National Institute of Dental Research to Busan.”