The awareness of dental and oral care in Yogyakarta remains low. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, 41.7% of the population suffers from dental cavities. This prompted the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada to conduct outreach and provide the community with free dental and oral health check-ups.
The Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada, in collaboration with the Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian Conservative Dentistry Association (IKORGI), organized a community service event themed "Yogyakarta, Sharing Knowledge, Serving Community in Conservative Dentistry". This event occurred on 15 June 2024 at the As-Syafi'iyah Orphanage and Islamic Boarding School in Girikerto Village, Turi District, Sleman Regency.
Drg. Yosaphat Bayu Rosanto, MDSc., Sp.B.M.M., Head of the Community Service Unit at FKG UGM, attended the event with a team comprising residents, co-ass students, and educational staff.
"Through activities like this, residents and co-ass students can sharpen their clinical skills and improve their communication abilities," said Dr. Yosaphat. He added that involving residents and co-ass students will make them more adaptable and accustomed to engaging with the community.
One student from the Islamic Boarding School, Jihan, expressed her happiness with the presence of the Community Service team from FKG UGM. "I am happy to meet the doctors; now I am not afraid to have my teeth checked," she said.
The activities included extractions, endodontic treatments, and simple conservation treatments provided to the surrounding community free of charge. This event aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of maintaining dental and oral health and providing affordable dental health services.
This activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), the fourth pillar (Quality Education), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).Hopefully, this activity will have long-term benefits for the community in improving dental and oral health and creating a healthier and more sustainable environment.
