Orientation for Newly Graduated Dentists
Yogyakarta, December 5, 2025 — Amid the celebration of graduation at the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) UGM, a real-life story was shared—one not about the allure of metropolitan clinics, but about sincere dedication in remote regions. It was the story of drg. Siswanto, an orthodontist approaching retirement, who reflected on a life journey proving that the true meaning of professionalism is often found where it is needed most.
The story began shortly after drg. Siswanto completed his undergraduate education at FKG UGM. Driven by youthful idealism, he undertook his PTT (Non-Permanent Government Employee) assignment in Central Kalimantan—a decision that profoundly shaped his life.
“At first, I thought the region would be similar to Java. It turned out I was assigned to a district called North Barito,” he recalled before the young audience.
His placement was not in the district capital, but at Muaraung Community Health Center (Puskesmas). Reaching the location required a three-hour journey by speedboat through dense forest. The facility served as an inpatient health center, providing vital services to several subdistricts due to the significant distance from the nearest main hospital.
The first major challenge quickly emerged: there was no general practitioner at the health center.
From the Dental Chair to Medical Management
This situation forced drg. Siswanto to adapt rapidly. He realized that being a dentist could not limit his knowledge solely to oral health. “We are still part of the broader medical field,” he stated.
Out of necessity, he deepened his understanding of general medicine—from anatomy to systemic physiology. He also had to learn healthcare management in the field, coordinating closely with senior nurses who had long served in the area.
“Sometimes we build our own barriers by saying, ‘I’m a dentist, I only deal with teeth.’ That mindset doesn’t work when you enter real-world practice,” he emphasized.
Finding Comfort in an ‘Underdeveloped Region’
While many of his peers chose to return to Java after completing their assignments, drg. Siswanto made a different choice—he stayed. Today, he has spent decades serving at Sultan Immanuddin Hospital in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan.
He found comfort in a supportive work environment and, more importantly, discovered that his profession felt “more meaningful” in the region. Opportunities for growth in regional areas, he noted, are actually substantial.
The hospital where he serves is now well-equipped with comprehensive facilities and various specialists, including two general dentists, an orthodontist, oral surgeon, conservative dentist, prosthodontist, and periodontist. Three of them are local natives. This level of completeness may even surpass that of some regional hospitals on Java Island.
A Message to Young Colleagues: Keep Learning and Stay Visible
Addressing the audience as “fellow colleagues,” drg. Siswanto emphasized that the struggle does not end at graduation. The ISIP (Internship Program) phase—six months consisting of three months at a community health center and three months at a hospital—serves as a bridge to a true professional career.
“We in the dental clinic are always happy to mentor ISIP juniors,” he said, underscoring the importance of regeneration and senior–junior guidance.
Drg. Siswanto’s story stands as a powerful reminder that professionalism is not measured solely by advanced facilities, but by the willingness to continue learning, adapt, and—most nobly—make meaningful contributions wherever one stands.
“We must step forward, we must be present, we must stay visible. We should never be perceived as being at a lower level within the medical profession,” he concluded passionately.
(Reporter: Andri Wicaksono, Photo: Fajar Budi Harsakti)
