Population aging is no longer a future issue but an increasingly urgent reality. Indonesia is projected to enter the aging population phase within the next two decades. Amid these challenges, the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), together with the Japanese Society for Oral Health (JSOH), marked a new chapter in international academic collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) focused on strengthening Geriatric Dentistry.
The agreement, signed on January 22, 2026, provides the foundation for the Workshop on Geriatric Dentistry and opens opportunities for research collaboration, academic exchange, and cross-national capacity building. Japan was selected as a partner for a clear reason: it has long confronted the implications of having one of the largest elderly populations in the world, including the impact on oral health.
“Geriatric dentistry is not merely a clinical issue—it concerns quality of life, elderly independence, and the healthcare system as a whole,” said Prof. Hiroshi Ogawa, leader of JSOH.
From Workshop to Long-Term Academic Framework
The MoA explicitly states that the collaboration extends beyond ceremonial activities. The Workshop on Geriatric Dentistry serves as an entry point to broader academic agendas, including curriculum exchange, engagement of international experts, and development of population-based research on elderly health.
JSOH assigned several senior experts in community oral health and geriatrics, including Prof. Hiroshi Ogawa (Board of Directors, JSOH), Prof. Masanori Iwasaki, and Dr. Takashi Hoshino, who have extensive experience in developing elderly oral health policies and research in Japan.
From FKG UGM, the participation of faculty leadership and strategic units reflects institutional-level preparation for this collaboration. Vice Deans for Academic Affairs and for Cooperation, Community Service, and Research attended alongside faculty members and unit managers.
Why Is Geriatric Dentistry Urgent?
Global data show that elderly oral health is often marginalized within healthcare systems. Yet oral conditions are closely linked to systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and the risk of malnutrition.
Japan demonstrates how population aging compels interdisciplinary thinking among academics and policymakers. Interestingly, even in Japan, geriatric dentistry still faces institutional challenges.
“In several dental faculties in Japan, geriatrics is not yet a fully independent course. This is a global challenge, not only Indonesia’s,” said Prof. Masanori Iwasaki.
This is precisely where international collaboration becomes relevant: sharing best practices while learning from each system’s limitations.
Research, Data, and Public Policy
A key emphasis of the FKG UGM–JSOH collaboration is strengthening data-driven research. The workshop is not limited to clinical knowledge transfer but also aims to collect field data reflecting the real conditions of elderly populations in Indonesia.
This approach is considered crucial so that academic outcomes contribute not only to classrooms and scientific journals but also to national oral health strategies and policymaking.
JSOH also opened opportunities for international research collaboration and academic networking, including further study opportunities and scholarships in Japan for Indonesian academics.
Academic Diplomacy Amid Global Challenges
Beyond technical aspects, the collaboration reflects another dimension of Indonesia–Japan relations: knowledge-based diplomacy. As health, aging, and social welfare become cross-border challenges, universities serve as hubs for dialogue and solutions.
FKG UGM positions itself not merely as a recipient of knowledge but as an equal partner in scientific development. The hope is that this collaboration will extend beyond a single activity to joint research, international publications, and tangible improvements in elderly oral healthcare services in Indonesia.
“This collaboration is only the beginning. Population aging demands sustainability, not short-term projects,” emphasized the Dean of FKG UGM.
Through this MoA, FKG UGM and JSOH are not simply signing a document—they are affirming a shared commitment to making dentistry more responsive to demographic changes and more humane in addressing the needs of older adults.
Reporter: Andri Wicaksono, Photographer: Fajar Budi Harsakti
