The Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), in collaboration with the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI), the Association of Indonesian Dental Faculties (AFDOKGI), PT. Unilever Indonesia, and the Association of Indonesian Dental and Oral Education Hospitals (ARSGMPI), organized a series of activities to commemorate National Dental Health Month 2023. This collaboration aims to raise public awareness about the importance of maintaining oral and dental health.
National Dental Health Month is an annual event. FKG UGM has planned various activities, including press conferences, free dental consultations (both digital and in-person), and free dental treatments for the public. This year, National Dental Health Month, themed “Healthy Smiles for Indonesia, Healthy Mouths, Strong Teeth,” will take place from September 12-14, 2023, at the RSGM Prof. Soedomo, accompanied by an opening ceremony in the central courtyard of FKG UGM. The event was attended by the UGM Vice-Rector, the Deputy Governor of Yogyakarta, the Dean of FKG UGM, and several stakeholders from AFDOKGI, PDGI, ARSGMPI, and Unilever Indonesia. Pepsodent brand ambassadors Raisa Andriana and Hamish Daud were also present.
The Dean of FKG UGM and Chair of AFDOKGI, Prof. drg. Suryono, S.H., M.M., Ph.D., emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about proper tooth brushing. “In Indonesia, only 2.8 percent of the population brushes their teeth correctly. However, in Yogyakarta, this number has reached 6 percent,” he explained. He further noted that this improvement is due to the ongoing efforts by FKG UGM, the local government, and relevant partners to educate the community about maintaining oral and dental health.
UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sujito, also stated that UGM continually encourages its academic community and the public to adopt healthy lifestyles. He commended FKG UGM for facilitating free dental check-ups and treatments for the public as part of the 2023 National Dental Health Month celebrations.
