Dental practice apparently leaves a footprint on the environment. Every day, medical waste such as latex gloves and dental filling materials continues to be generated through patient care activities. Research published in The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice reported that dental clinics generate approximately 0.5–2.5 kg of waste per patient visit. Without adequate waste management, this can contribute to environmental pollution.
To reduce these negative impacts, a sustainability-oriented approach is needed. The green dentistry concept is considered a promising approach to addressing this issue. The concept emphasizes prevention rather than treatment. The earlier dental diseases are prevented, the fewer medical interventions are required, thereby reducing the amount of medical waste generated.
This concept was a major focus of the International Dental Summer Course (IDSC) 2026 community service program organized by the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM). Dozens of summer course participants from several universities in Indonesia and abroad visited Baturan 1 Public Elementary School to provide dental and oral health education and examinations on 15 July.
The activity coordinator, drg. Fania Chairunisa, M.P.H., Ph.D., explained that this year's IDSC adopted the concepts of multidisciplinary sustainability and green dentistry. One of its main components was prevention. Preventive measures are intended to reduce the burden of treatment in the future, which is expected to decrease the use of certain medical materials that are not environmentally friendly.
“Another preventive measure is the use of teledentistry, which provides remote dental consultations through telecommunications technologies such as video calls or dedicated applications. This can reduce carbon emissions from transportation when patients would otherwise need to travel to a dentist,” Fania said.
In addition to dental examinations, the students also received Topical Application of Fluoride (TAF), an early preventive method involving the application of fluoride to children's teeth to inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause dental caries. This method is considered effective in strengthening tooth enamel, preventing caries formation, and halting the early stages of tooth decay caused by acids and bacteria.
The activity also provided a new experience for the summer course participants, including Gina, a second-semester student from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya (UMPR). For her, the community service program not only strengthened her clinical skills but also enhanced her communication competencies as a future dentist.
According to Gina, interpersonal communication is a crucial competency, particularly when treating pediatric patients. The right approach is necessary to prevent children from experiencing medical trauma. “We have to be able to adapt to and connect with these children so that they feel comfortable and are not afraid. Communication in the field like this is something we need to practice regularly,” Gina explained.
Meanwhile, Asri Ningtyas, a teacher at Baturan 1 Public Elementary School, welcomed the participation of the FKG UGM summer course students. “This tooth-brushing education is very beneficial in complementing the school's existing programs. It reminds the students that, in addition to eating nutritious food, they also need to maintain good dental and oral health,” Asri concluded.
The school hopes that collaboration with higher education institutions can become an annual program to ensure continuous monitoring of children's dental health from an early age.
Author and Photo: Fajar Budi Harsakti