A student team from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), has successfully advanced to the final round of the Indonesian Forensic Odontology Student Olympiad (IFOSO) 2025 after completing two online elimination rounds on 5 May 2025.
IFOSO is a national-level competition testing dental students’ knowledge in forensic odontology. This year marks the first time the competition is organized by the Indonesian Forensic Odontology Association as part of an annual symposium to be held in person in Bali.
FKG UGM sent a team of three clinical students: Selcaria Istna Datau (Koas 82), Aini Hasibah Ningtyas (Koas 78), and Amalia Nur Faadiya (Koas 78), supervised by Dr. drg. Rini Widyaningrum, M.Biotech, and drg. Natasza Engela.
Team leader Selcaria Istna Datau explained that before reaching the finals, 22 teams from various universities in Indonesia competed in two elimination rounds to secure four spots in the final. In the first round, the team completed 50 multiple-choice questions. “Each of us worked hard to study the material so that we could advance to the next round,” said Selca.
In the second round, a draw determined their opponent, and FKG UGM faced a team from Universitas Airlangga (Unair). Both teams answered 10 rapid-fire questions and ended in a tie. “We were surprised by the result; both teams scored the same,” Selca said.
A tiebreakerround was held, in which FKG UGM emerged as the winner, earning a place in the final on 1 June 2025 at Universitas Mahasaraswati, Denpasar, Bali.
Motivation
The team’s motivation began when Drg. Rini Widyaningrum, M. Biotech, shared information about the competition and conducted an internal selection to determine FKG UGM representatives. Team members also developed personal interest in forensic odontology, particularly due to their thesis topics relating to the competition material.
“I am proud of them. Their success comes from their enthusiasm and diligence. Some team members have shown a strong interest in forensic odontology since the beginning of their studies,” said Rini, the supervising lecturer.
Ahead of the final, Selcaria and her team will receive intensive preparation from FKG UGM faculty. Faculty from the Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology will provide in-depth forensic knowledge, while the Dean of FKG UGM, Prof. drg. Suryono, will guide the team on ethical and legal aspects of dentistry relevant to the competition.
This achievement reflects the students’ academic quality and dedication, as well as FKG UGM’s commitment to developing students’ competencies in specialized fields such as forensic odontology.
Author: Fajar Budi Harsakti.
