The Community Service Program entitled “Dental and Oral Health Education and Denture Fabrication for the Community of Nenang Village, Penajam, Towards Oral Health District 2030” aims to improve oral health and the well-being of the elderly in Penajam Paser Utara Regency through education and the provision of dentures.
Community Service by the Department of Prosthodontics, FKG UGM
This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), which emphasize the importance of equitable access to quality healthcare, especially for vulnerable groups. The community in Penajam Paser Utara, many of whom have limited knowledge about oral health, will benefit from continuous health education, dental check-ups, and free denture fabrication for the elderly. The program also aims to reduce disparities in access to oral health services, especially for underprivileged elderly residents.
Through collaboration with various stakeholders, including students and alumni, the program aspires to create an Oral Health Village 2030. Success will be measured by the increased knowledge of the community about oral health, the number of elderly people receiving dentures, and routine check-ups. It is also expected to be sustainable through the support of local partners and replication in other villages.
Penajam Paser Utara is a regency in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, with a mid-2024 population of 199,600 and a density of 60 people/km². It borders Kutai Kartanegara to the north, the Makassar Strait to the east, Paser to the south, and West Kutai to the west.
The regency was officially formed through Law No. 7 of 2002 , which established four districts:
- Penajam
- Waru
- Babulu
- Sepaku
Oral health is a crucial part of general health, yet often neglected, especially in areas with limited access to healthcare services. In Nenang Village, particularly around Ratu Aji Putri Botung Hospital, the community still faces challenges in raising awareness and accessing dental care. Common problems include a lack of education about oral health, limited dental facilities, and low denture use among elderly people who have lost their teeth.
The Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada plays an important role in oral health education, care, and treatment for cases of tooth loss. FKG UGM provides knowledge on oral health maintenance along with sustainable treatment and rehabilitation for elderly people, to restore oral function and improve quality of life. Through this program, lecturers and students from the Prosthodontics Department aim to provide continuous education on oral health maintenance and denture fabrication for elderly residents in Penajam Paser Utara.
Author: Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Doc. DPKM UGM
