A total of 19 periodontology experts from six leading dental schools in Indonesia convened in Jakarta for the Expert Panel on Validation of the National Competency Examination (UKOM) Question Bank for the Periodontology Specialist Dental Education Program (PPDGS). Initiated by the Indonesian Health Council (Konsil Kesehatan Indonesia/KKI), the panel produced 300 new examination questions to be used in Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
The meeting, held in Jakarta from 30 October to 1 November 2025, marked a strategic step toward strengthening national graduation standards for specialist dental education in Indonesia. This initiative aligns with Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, which mandates the implementation of a nationally standardized competency examination.
Question Validation to Ensure Graduate Quality
According to the activity report, the panel’s primary focus was refining the curriculum and assessment system through a rigorous review process. The experts were divided into four working groups tasked with scrutinizing every aspect of the questions, including clinical vignettes, question formulation, and answer keys.
drg. Kwartarini Murdiastuti, Sp.Perio., Subsp. R.P.I.D (K)., Ph.D, representing FKG UGM, emphasized that the activity went beyond merely increasing the number of questions.
“This activity aims to improve question quality, facilitate peer feedback and corrections among course coordinators, and ensure that difficulty levels and language clarity contribute to improved student pass rates,” she explained.
Collaboration Among Six Universities to Promote National Standardization
The Expert Panel brought together representatives from six universities offering the Periodontology PPDGS program: Universitas Indonesia (8 representatives), Universitas Padjadjaran (2), Universitas Airlangga (2), Universitas Gadjah Mada (2), Universitas Sumatera Utara (1), and Universitas Hasanuddin (4).
This cross-institutional collaboration resulted in 300 high-quality questions submitted to KKI as part of the national question bank. The participation of experts and the formal handover of the question bank reflect the commitment of KKI and the Periodontology Collegium to ensuring an objective, transparent, and curriculum-based evaluation system. With strengthened competency standards, graduates of Periodontology specialist programs are expected to better address public oral health challenges nationwide.
(Reporter: Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Documentation by drg. Kwartarini Murdiastuti, Sp.Perio., Subsp. R.P.I.D (K)., Ph.D)
