The Periodontics Specialist Program at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), has once again reinforced its reputation as one of Indonesia's leading specialist dental education institutions. All seven residents who participated in the National Periodontics Specialist Competency Examination, held at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, from 10–12 June 2026, successfully passed the examination. Moreover, they secured second, third, and fourth place nationally. The FKG UGM delegation was led by drg. Kwartarini Murdiastuti, Sp.Perio., Subsp. R.P.I.D.(K)., Ph.D., and Dr. drg. Rezmelia Sari, M.Sc., Sp.Perio., Subsp. R.P.I.D.(K).
Beyond being an academic accomplishment, these results serve as a significant indicator of the quality of FKG UGM's specialist education system. At a time when national competency standards for healthcare professionals continue to become more rigorous, achieving a perfect pass rate while dominating the national rankings demonstrates that excellence in specialist dental education is built through integrated learning, clinical supervision, and continuous evaluation rather than through individual achievement alone.
Proven Educational Excellence on the National Stage
The residents' success extended beyond the overall pass rate. The remaining four residents also achieved average scores above 95, reflecting the consistent quality of the program's graduates rather than the outstanding performance of only a few individuals. drg. Bellia Sukma Rengganis earned Second Place Nationally while achieving the highest score among UGM Periodontics residents. drg. Christian Oliver Wijaya secured Third Place Nationally, while drg. Ratih Sukmana Putri finished Fourth Place Nationally.
According to the examination report, participants achieved an average score on the Computer-Based Test (CBT) score 94,86, on the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) score 95,90. These results demonstrate a strong balance between scientific knowledge and clinical competence—the two pillars of modern periodontics practice.
In her report, Dr. drg. Rezmelia Sari, M.Sc., Sp.Perio., Subsp. R.P.I.D.(K)., Head of the Periodontics Specialist Program at FKG UGM, stated that the achievement reflects the successful implementation of the competency-based education system developed by the faculty.
"All seven Periodontics residents from FKG UGM who participated in the examination passed, resulting in a 100 percent pass rate. Our residents also secured second, third, and fourth place at the national level," she said.
A Competition That Measures Educational Quality
Unlike conventional academic examinations, the National Periodontics Competency Examination serves as a nationwide assessment organized by the Indonesian College of Periodontology in collaboration with the Indonesian Health Council. Participants represent specialist dentistry education programs from institutions across Indonesia.
The examination aims not only to determine whether candidates pass but also to ensure that every specialist graduate meets national competency standards and is fully prepared to provide safe, high-quality patient care.
For FKG UGM, the examination results also serve as an important performance indicator, particularly in measuring graduate quality, academic achievement, and national competitiveness.
Excellence Built Through a Strong Educational System
The achievements of the seven residents have attracted considerable attention because they demonstrate that success is not solely the product of individual ability but rather the outcome of an effective educational system.
The report states that these accomplishments further strengthen the position of the FKG UGM Periodontics Specialist Program as an institution capable of producing highly qualified specialists with strong national competitiveness.
"These results reinforce the position of the FKG UGM Periodontics Specialist Program as a specialist education institution capable of producing highly qualified graduates with strong national competitiveness. They also demonstrate the effectiveness of our learning system, academic mentoring, and clinical education,"explained Dr. Rezmelia.
Her remarks highlight that excellence in specialist education is fundamentally shaped by curriculum quality, clinical mentorship, a strong academic culture, and continuous evaluation.
Success Must Never Lead to Complacency
Despite these remarkable achievements, the program has adopted a reflective approach by identifying several follow-up initiatives for continuous improvement.
These include evaluating the resident mentoring system, refining competency examination preparation through mock examinations ( Try Out), and strengthening academic development strategies to maintain and further enhance national achievements.
Such initiatives are essential as competency standards for healthcare professionals continue to evolve alongside advances in science, dental technology, and increasingly complex healthcare demands.
A Long-Term Investment in Healthcare Quality
Looking ahead, FKG UGM's challenge extends beyond maintaining a 100 percent pass rate or dominating national rankings. The greater objective is to ensure that its outstanding graduates continue to drive innovation, demonstrate academic leadership, and deliver healthcare services that provide meaningful benefits to society.
Contributor: Dr. drg. Rezmelia Sari, M.Sc., Sp.Perio., Subsp. R.P.I.D.(K)., Editor: Andri Wicaksono
