The Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) is taking strategic steps to address the unequal distribution of dental healthcare professionals in Indonesia. On Tuesday (1/20), FKG UGM held a discussion with the Dean, faculty leadership, and all Heads of Specialist Study Programs as a follow-up effort to meet the need for dentists and dental specialists in various regions.
The discussion aimed to refine policy direction and strategies to accelerate the fulfillment of dentist workforce needs through the development of specialist education programs. The session featured two expert speakers: Dr. dr. Sudadi, SpAn-TI, Subsp. N.An(K), Subsp. An.R(K), Vice Dean for Cooperation, Alumni, and Community Service of FKKMK UGM, who presented policy perspectives and opportunities for accelerating the establishment of Dental Specialist Study Programs.
Dr. dr. Andreasta Meliala, M.Kes., Head of the UGM Integrated Health Services Bureau, who delivered the university’s strategic perspective in responding to government policies on healthcare workforce distribution.
Equitable healthcare access, particularly in oral health, remains a national challenge. Indonesia’s archipelagic geography has contributed to uneven healthcare access. To date, the distribution of dentists remains concentrated on the island of Java, while regions outside Java face significant shortages of dental healthcare personnel.
Prof. drg. Suryono, Dean of FKG UGM, stated that many regions in Indonesia still lack dental healthcare professionals, especially dental specialists. He cited Lamandau Regency in Central Kalimantan as an example, where urgent needs exist due to the presence of only one specialist in the area.
To facilitate the placement of healthcare personnel in underserved regions, the Government of Indonesia, through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, has initiated the Academic Health System (AHS) scheme as an approach to meeting physician and dentist needs in regional areas.
FKG UGM draws inspiration from the success of FKKMK UGM, which has deployed Senior Residents to Underserved, Border, and Archipelagic Areas (DPTK).
In 2025, FKG UGM conducted visits to several AHS-designated regions in Kalimantan, including Lamandau and Tabalong Regencies. These visits received special attention from faculty leadership due to the high demand for dentists and dental specialists in these areas.
As a follow-up, FKG UGM plans to deploy senior dental residents and dental specialists to RSUD Gusti Abdul Gani Lamandau. The plan is currently under discussion between FKG UGM and the UGM Academic Dental and Oral Hospital Prof. Soedomo.
Through this initiative, FKG UGM hopes to adopt a similar model to that of FKKMK as a contribution to the equitable distribution of oral healthcare services and to support the strengthening of a fair and sustainable national health system.
Contributor: FKG UGM Cooperation Unit
Editor: Fajar Budi Harsakti
