The Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held its Dentist Inauguration Ceremony, during which 47 graduates were officially inaugurated, achieving a 100% graduation rate. The ceremony took place at the Grha Sabha Pramana (GSP) Building, UGM, on Monday, 23 June 2026. Through this inauguration, the graduates are expected not only to excel in clinical competence but also to uphold professional ethics as they begin serving the community.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI) Special Region of Yogyakarta Branch, drg. Henny Primasari, delivered a reflective message on the significance of earning a professional degree. She emphasized that taking the professional oath marks the beginning of a dentist's true moral responsibility.
"Today is not the finish line of your journey. Rather, it is the starting point of your genuine dedication to the community, the nation, and humanity," said drg. Henny Primasari before the graduates and their families.
Amid the ongoing challenges of healthcare accessibility across many regions of Indonesia, she encouraged the graduates to become agents of change. "Be dentists who are not only academically knowledgeable and clinically skilled, but also humble, empathetic, committed to upholding professional ethics, and dedicated to making meaningful contributions to society," she urged.
Echoing this message, the Dean of FKG UGM, Prof. Drg. Suryono, S.H., M.M., Ph.D., delivered a warm and engaging address that emphasized moral values. He began with a visual metaphor featuring a burning flame emerging from a wallet, which he referred to as the "Mrapen Flame." The symbol was intended to inspire graduates to maintain an unwavering spirit and the courage to dedicate their knowledge to communities in even the most remote regions.
Prof. Suryono stressed that good character is essential in professional life. He reminded the graduates that academic excellence must always be accompanied by strong moral character. "Character must remain an inseparable part of who you are. Many people possess competence but lack character, and that is something we must avoid," he emphasized.
Addressing the realities of the digital era, Prof. Suryono also shared a message that he had composed with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). "When it comes to setting your fees, I know many of you are unsure how much to charge. My advice is this: it's perfectly fine to charge a high fee, as long as you do so sincerely. Don't be like a friend of mine who charged boarding-house rates for dental fillings, but the results looked like patching a leaking cooking pot. Patients may wince when paying the bill, but don't let them wince when they see the quality of your work," he joked, drawing laughter from the audience.
The inauguration marked an important milestone for the Faculty as it celebrated the achievements of its newest graduates. The newly inaugurated dentists of FKG UGM are expected to uphold the reputation of their alma mater, maintain the highest standards of integrity, and remain committed to improving oral and dental health throughout Indonesia.
Writer: Annisa Dwi Noviyanti
Photo: Fajar Budi Harsakti
