Kasumi Kuse Barouch: Innovative Periodontal Expert Elevating Clinical Standards

Across the landscape of modern healthcare, the periodontal industry stands out for its rapid progress and renewed emphasis on quality and patient experience. With rising awareness of the link between oral and systemic health, new cornerstones are being set to redefine quality care for teeth and gums.

Representing the field of modern periodontology, Dr Kasumi Kuse Barouch, DDS, CAGS, PhD, is committed in driving progress in patient care through excellence and adoption of advanced therapeutic protocols across the profession. Barouch Kuse serves as a distinguished U.S. certified Periodontist and Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.

She emphasizes that the significant advances in periodontal therapy stem from the continuous scientific commitment of clinicians and researchers alike. Enriched by training across globally renowned academic centres, she demonstrates a forward-thinking contribution to the periodontal industry, consistently advancing standards of care.

Take us through the formative years of your life and key influences growing up.

Since childhood, my life has been centred around music as it was introduced as therapy to improve my physically fragile health condition. My father, an oral surgeon, encouraged me to be vocally trained from the age of three to strengthen my bronchial health. I trained for years, and pursuing a degree at a music university seemed the natural path. However, the loss of my music teacher during high school changed everything for me.

I stepped away from music and spent more time at my father’s clinic to observe his clinical procedures. I was overwhelmed by witnessing the empathy and purpose to his practice and that shifted my perspective, ultimately guiding me toward dental school. The warmth and impact of his work evoked the same fulfilment I found in music, inspiring me to choose a career in dentistry.

What inspired you to pursue a career in periodontology? Tell us about your journey that shaped your expertise in this field.

My inclination and decision to specialize in periodontology started from a belief that strong clinical practice must be built on foundational principles. The discipline and focus I developed through years of vocal and piano training directly strengthened my ability to maintain precision and long attention spans during surgical procedures.

I refined this expertise at Boston University, formerly the Goldman School of Dental Medicine, founded by Dr Goldman, the pioneer of modern periodontology.

Over the course of years, I have witnessed the periodontology landscape transformed significantly with the innovation of high-precision microscopes and new research methodologies in the 1980s.

At that time, Japan’s understanding remained limited, while the U.S. had already established advanced educational and scientific frameworks for periodontal medicine. In my practice, I specialize in delivering targeted gum care that enhances both health outcomes and daily living.

Effective care depends on the patient’s thorough review keeping the health profile to ensure accurate assessment pf their periodontal challenges

What key areas of expertise have you developed in treating periodontal diseases and managing long-term oral health for patients?

I specialize in determining the characteristics, pro­gression, and causative factors of periodontal disease by complete clinical examination. My experience in­cludes treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the gingiva and supporting bone, providing implant therapy, and maintaining chronic disease control to prevent peri-implantitis.

I also perform regenerative procedures, including bone regeneration, gum reces­sion, discoloration, and cosmetic alterations to the gingiva. I have extensive and advanced post-doctoral training in periodontology and implant therapy which allows me to stay committed to facilitating oral health sustainability in my patients.

Introduce us to Kasumi Clinic. What key roles and responsibilities do you shoulder as the director in the clinic?

With a commitment to elevate the international standard of periodontal care, I established Dr Kasumi Nagatacho Clinic as a strategic base that integrates treatment, recovery, and comfort in one setting.

Overnight stays let patients have the opportunity to unwind after the procedure while still having access to our level of comfort and support for a longer time. Based on a limited understanding of the patient's biologic makeup, their habits, and family history, suggests how the disease may react and tolerate the procedure.

Due to the extent of periodontal disease in prevalence worldwide, my job focuses on protecting the oral health of patients in terms of healthy systemic conditions as well as persons with complex medical concerns. Patients range from the healthy to medically complex patients dealing with their chronic disease, cancer survivors, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, congenital conditions in children and young adults to the elderly.

How do you foresee periodontology evolving in the years to come?

From an operational standpoint, certain specialized periodontological treatments require a highly tailored approach. My experience with diverse global and varied ethnic backgrounds highlights that Japanese women are more susceptible to have delicate gingival structures. Effective care depends on the patient’s thorough review keeping the health profile to ensure accurate assessment of heir periodontal challenges.

A highly customized approach is the need of the hour for optimal patient management. It is a collabora­tion of each person’s health background and the broad network of medical specialists. With the evolution of this field owing to technological advancements we con­sistently refine and acquire new insights to add on to our clinical knowledge base.

Looking back, which accomplishments are you most proud of?

As a memorable case from my early days of being a young practitioner, I was treating an elderly patient who had a very challenging case. Though she required some unavoidable extractions, I dedicated myself to maintaining the rest of her teeth and gums and continued supporting her from abroad with remote monitoring and local assistance. It was a case that required both skill and long-term follow-through.

Dr Kasumi Kuse Barouch, Director, Dr Kasumi Nagatacho Clinic

Blends, excellence, research, and innovation to elevate care & advance periodontal medicine Dr Kasumi Kuse Barouch plays a pivotal role in advancing periodontal medicine, driving significant progress in patient outcomes by championing evidence-based care and advanced therapeutic protocols. With a background shaped by world-class academic institutions, she brings a strategic and innovative perspective that continues to improve the quality and direction of periodontal care.