Kicking off 2025, the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) officially inducted 50 new dentists in a swearing-in ceremony held on Thursday (9 January 2025) at the Grha Sabha Pramana Hall, UGM.
The Dean of FKG UGM, Prof. drg. Suryono, SH., MM., Ph.D., encouraged the newly graduated dentists to continuously develop themselves professionally. He emphasized the importance of participating in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs organized by professional bodies such as the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI) as a platform for ongoing scientific advancement. Besides CPD, formal education such as specialist or master’s degree programs is also an option to enhance their capabilities.
“For the next six months, you will undergo internships .—three months each at a hospital and a community health center. Make the most of this opportunity. Afterward, you can decide your career path—whether to practice in clinics, serve as civil servants, or continue your studies. Many options are available for dentists,” said Suryono.
Hunik Rimawati, M.Kes., Deputy Chair of the PDGI Regional Board in Yogyakarta, highlighted the issue of unequal distribution of dental health workers across Indonesia. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, there are 2,834 community health centers (puskesmas) without dentists. “The equipment is adequate, but the dentists are absent,” Hunik noted.
She expressed hope that the new dentists would fill these gaps, especially in remote areas that have long struggled with access to dental care. Hunik also reminded the new dentists to uphold professional ethics and always work in compliance with regulations. She stressed that integrity and professionalism are key to public trust in the dental profession.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Dental Council, Rear Admiral (Ret.) drg. Andriani, Sp. Ort., shared the latest data from the Ministry of Health, reporting 48,352 active dentist registration certificates (STR) in Indonesia. Of these, 42,721 are general dentists and 5,631 are dental specialists.
With an estimated population of 280 million people, Indonesia’s ratio of dental specialists currently stands at 1:50,000. This indicates a significant gap from the ideal ratio needed to provide specialized dental care to the community.
“I urge all new dentists and their families to be willing to serve and permit placement in the 3T areas (Underdeveloped, Frontier, and Outermost regions) of Indonesia. If not you, then who?” said Andriani.
She emphasized that serving in the 3T areas is not only a contribution to the nation but also an ethical responsibility for dentists to reach all layers of society.
Nadia, one of the newly sworn-in dentists, described this moment as a very meaningful milestone in her life. She felt proud and grateful to have completed her education and be ready to serve as a dentist. “The journey through professional studies was not easy, but today is proof that hard work and prayers never go to waste,” Nadia said.
Nadia also expressed her hope to soon serve the community and provide the best dental care possible. She wishes to become a dentist who is not only clinically skilled but also able to communicate well and be a trusted health partner for her patients.
Author and Photographer: Fajar Budi H.
