The Doctoral Program in Dental Medicine at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), collaborated with PT Kaltim Methanol Industri (KMI) to organize a dental health education activity using the Tell-Show-Feel-Do method at the Amali Special School on 3 September 2024. This event involved parents, special needs students, teachers, and Ph.D. students in Dental Medicine from UGM.
The education aimed to teach basic dental hygiene skills, such as brushing teeth, using dental floss, and cleaning the tongue to students with intellectual disabilities. The Tell-Show-Feel-Do method was employed to facilitate understanding through simple explanations, direct demonstrations, interaction with dental care tools, and guided independent practice by parents. It is hoped that this activity will enhance the skills and understanding of students in maintaining their dental health, ultimately fostering good dental care habits from an early age.
The Principal of SLB YP Amali, Mrs. Miraningsih, S.Pd, expressed appreciation for the activity, stating, “We are very grateful for the implementation of the Tell-Show-Feel-Do-based Dental Health Education. This activity is very beneficial for our students with special needs, as it allows them to learn in an interactive and easily understandable way. As a result, it can have a positive impact on increasing awareness of the importance of maintaining dental health.”
A parent who attended the event also provided positive feedback: “As a parent, I am very grateful for this activity. It helps my child with special needs to better understand how to maintain their dental health in a fun and easy-to-understand manner. After the activity, I noticed a positive change in my child's habits, especially in regularly brushing their teeth.”
Parents also expressed their gratitude: “Thank you to Universitas Gadjah Mada and PT Kaltim Methanol Industri for this very beneficial activity. We hope that initiatives like this can continue to support the health of our children.”
This activity aligns with efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) number 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) and number 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education).
Authors: Fiqih, Suci, Haqi
