The Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) UGM once again dispatched a team through community service activities in the villages of Guntung and Loktuan, North Bontang District, East Kalimantan. The activity took place at the Guntung Village Hall on Tuesday (24/10), targeting the buffer zone communities of Guntung and Loktuan, including dozens of children with special needs.
The Doctoral Program in Dental Science at FKG UGM presented this community service initiative in collaboration with PT Kaltim Methanol Industri (PT KMI). Education on preventive oral health care was provided to over 50 residents, comprising general community members, RT administrators, and officials from Guntung and Loktuan Villages. Additionally, dental examinations were conducted for students from two special needs schools in the Taman City area (also known as Bontang), namely SLB YPK and SLB Amali.
Through this community service initiative, FKG UGM demonstrates its commitment to supporting the government's sustainable development goals outlined in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), particularly SDG 3, Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities, aiming to empower and promote inclusivity in social, economic, and political aspects for everyone regardless of status or background, including disabilities.
"This activity is conducted in the spirit of community service based on research," said Dr. drg. Lisdriyanto Hanindriyo, MPH., Ph.D., FISDPH., FISPD., Chair of the Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Oral Health Sciences at FKG UGM, speaking on behalf of the team. He added that his team also provided psycho -education for children with special needs alongside dental check-ups. "We hope to raise awareness among the public about maintaining and caring for oral health by brushing teeth correctly and visiting the dentist at least every six months. Additionally, through this initiative, we aim to create innovative health tools specifically tailored for children with Down Syndrome," he explained.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Harry Iswara, GA & PR Deputy Dept. Manager at PT KMI. "This activity is a tangible manifestation of our concern for the community surrounding our company, particularly in the health sector," he stated. "This CSR program has been ongoing since before the pandemic in 2019. During the pandemic, we continued to conduct health education activities on dental care online," he added.
The educational activities proceeded smoothly with high enthusiasm from the residents of both villages who participated. "I am delighted to participate in this activity. Besides gaining useful knowledge, I also received free consultation about my dental condition," said Tika, a resident of Guntung Village. She, representing the PKK of Guntung Village, also expressed her determination to expand the benefits of this activity. "The knowledge we gain here is not just for me and my family but will also be shared with other residents in the PKK community," she concluded.
