The Pediatric Dentistry Specialist Program at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), in collaboration with various partners, organized a community service program at the Samara Bunda Special School (SLB) on 18 July 2024. This event was held to raise awareness about the importance of proper dental care for children with special needs, who often face challenges in maintaining their oral health. The activity is expected to have a positive impact and serve as an initial step toward better oral health for these children.
The event involved the Pediatric Dentistry Specialist Program at FKG UGM, the Faculty of Psychology at UGM, the UGM Directorate of Community Service, the "Gigi Kecil" app, YES Alumni, and the Dental YK Kids Clinic. The program included free dental checkups, oral health education, and counseling for parents and teachers. Rahayu Pujianti, Head of SLB Samara Bunda, warmly welcomed this initiative, saying, "We are very grateful for the attention given to our children. This program is incredibly helpful not only for the dental checkups but also for the education we need to maintain their oral health every day. This is a significant step toward a healthier future for children with special needs."
In addition to the checkups, the event featured educational games for children and the distribution of dental care souvenirs. The dental health data collected during the event will be used as a basis for designing more comprehensive treatment plans in the future.
drg. Arif, one of the dentists from FKG UGM, expressed hope for the program’s outcomes, stating, "We hope this activity will not only be a temporary solution but also open the way for better and more sustainable dental care for children with special needs."
In line with improving the health and well-being of children with special needs, it is hoped that this program will continue and provide lasting benefits that support the achievement of the SDGs, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships to Achieve the Goals).
Contributor : drg. Arif Rahman | Author : Diva Lutfhiana | Editor : Maria Shinta
