The Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), held a collaborative discussion with Mitra Plumbon Hospital on Thursday, 10 April 2025. The meeting explored potential partnerships for the placement of specialist dentistry graduates, study assignments, and the development of the university's Tridharma activities (education, research, and community service).
Facilitated by representatives from FKG UGM’s Cooperation Unit, the meeting was attended by heads of specialist study programs, including Prof. Drg. Rosa Amalia, M.Kes., Ph.D., Drg. Trianna Wahyu Utami, M.DSc., Ph.D., and representatives from Mitra Plumbon Hospital.
During the discussion, Mitra Plumbon Hospital expressed an urgent need for specialist dentists. Hospital visit data indicates that dental services, both general and specialized, are the third most in-demand, while dental procedures rank second in terms of operating room usage.
Responding to this, Prof. Rosa noted that most specialist dentist graduates from FKG UGM already have post-study placements, making graduate placement a particular challenge. Nonetheless, FKG UGM remains open to other forms of collaboration, including social service programs and facilitating study opportunities for doctors from Mitra Plumbon Hospital. x
Specialist Dentist Workforce Needs
According to data from the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI), there are 6,101 specialist dentists in Indonesia, which represents only 12.8% of the total 47,621 general dentists.
The Indonesian Ministry of Health estimates a national need of approximately 32,000 medical specialists per year, including dental specialists. However, the current annual production is only around 2,700 specialists, highlighting a significant gap between the demand for and supply of specialized medical personnel.
Moreover, the distribution of specialist dentists in Indonesia is uneven, with the majority concentrated in urban areas and on the island of Java. As a result, remote and border regions often face a shortage of specialized healthcare providers, including dentists.
About Mitra Plumbon Group
Mitra Plumbon Group currently operates five type B and C hospitals across West Java, with a total capacity of 2,452 beds. The group is also planning to expand into northern Central Java.
The discussion also covered the possibility of placing residents in Mitra Plumbon Hospitals under limited supervision, and the need to review regulations and coordinate with BPJS or insurance providers regarding the clinical status of procedures performed by residents in non-teaching hospital settings.
Through this meeting, both parties agreed to continue further discussions, especially to assess hospital HR needs and to strengthen education and community service networks in dentistry. Initiatives such as study assignments and community outreach programs will be the first steps toward this partnership.
Reporter: FKG UGM Partnership Unit | Author: Fajar Budi H.
