The Indonesian Oral Biology Association (PBOI) successfully held a series of events: Congress, Consortium, Expert Inauguration, and the 7th Oral Biology Scientific Seminar with the theme “Strengthening Oral Biology Nationally and Internationally through Academics, Research, and Publications” on 24-27 July 2025, in Padang, West Sumatra. At this event, one of the Professors of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Dr. drg. Juni Handajani, M.Kes., Ph.D., PBO was elected as Chairperson of PBOI for the 2025–2030 term. This series of activities demonstrated PBOI’s commitment to building excellent research, quality publications, and concrete contributions to improving oral health for the people of Indonesia.
What is the “Biggest Homework” of the Indonesian Oral Biology Association?
As a scientific forum, PBOI plays a role in advancing Oral Biology so that it benefits the welfare of the Indonesian people. Its main challenge is to build an integrated Oral Biology ecosystem, starting from strengthening academic collaboration, enhancing research and publications, to community service, as well as contributing inputs for clinical implementation—so that in the future PBOI can become a leading reference for Oral Biology specialization at the national level.
What will be the focus of Oral Biology activities led by Prof. Juni Handajani?
- Strengthening the position of Oral Biology through academic collaboration, enhancement, and scientific development in the field.
- Improving the quality and quantity of research and publications to remain competitive nationally and internationally.
- Expanding research networks and strengthening the Oral Biology Consortium for synchronized research and community service.
- Increasing the dissemination of Oral Biology research results through the establishment of the Journal of Molecular Oral Biology and Dental Sciences with the future target of national accreditation and international indexation.
- Implementing Oral Biology knowledge in community service activities with the aim of improving the oral health of the Indonesian population.
In the PBOI forum, Prof. Juni presented material entitled:
Metagenomic Study of Supragingival Plaque Bacterial Diversity in Children with Caries
Abstract: Abstract: Background. Most Indonesian children have experienced oral diseases, particularly caries and periodontal disease. The prevalence of these two diseases is very high, mainly caused by dysbiosis in the oral microbiota. The oral microbiota that composes dental plaque primarily consists of bacteria. The composition of the oral microflora in children with caries shows a shift in dominant species compared to healthy individuals. Objective. This study aimed to identify the bacterial species diversity in dental plaque of children with caries using a metagenomic approach. Availability of species diversity data and bacterial dominance in the dental plaque of children with caries can be obtained using this approach. Materials and Methods. The subjects of this study were children aged 5–11 years, divided into two groups: healthy teeth and caries sufferers. Bacterial samples were taken from supragingival plaque isolates, which were then processed for 16sRNA metagenomic analysis using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results and Conclusion. 1. Streptococcus salivarius sp. and Streptococcus mutans sp. were the predominant species in children with caries. 2. Neisseria sp. and Rothia sp. were the predominant bacteria in the dental plaque of caries-free children. This research was funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikti Saintek) in 2024 under the KATALIS scheme.
Author: Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Doc. Oral Biology Department, FKG UGM
