The competencies of dental students extend beyond technical skills to include an understanding of their vital role in promoting public health. Gaining hands-on experience in the community is essential for equipping students with relevant skills so they can deliver quality care in the future.
Students in the Dentistry Professional Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Faculty of Dentistry are currently completing a field practicum at nine community health centers (puskesmas) across Yogyakarta from 19 June to 8 July 2024. This practicum, part of the Preventive Dental Medicine (IKGP) and Community Dental Health (IKGM) courses, is designed to provide students with real-world experience in managing health centers and delivering dental care within the community.
According to drg. Muhammad Fahmi Alfian, one of the supervising lecturers, this field practicum offers students valuable opportunities to apply the theories they learn in class to real-life situations. “Through this practicum, students gain insight into how dental health services operate at community health centers and how they can actively contribute to improving public health,” stated Drg. Fahmi (21/6).
The practicum is held at Pundong, Kasihan II, Depok III, Mlati I, Mlati II, Seyegan, Pakem, Godean I, and Mantrijeron Health Centers. Students have the opportunity to learn about comprehensive health center management, gain hands-on experience in dental and oral health services in dental clinics, and conduct public health surveys within the service area.
The primary objective of this practicum is to train students in applying dental knowledge to public health services and to understand the management of dental health systems comprehensively. “Additionally, students are involved in analyzing dental health issues in the community and developing solutions based on scientific approaches and literature reviews,” added drg. Fahmi.
This program not only enhances the students’ academic and practical skills but also deepens their understanding of the strategic role of community health centers in maintaining public health, especially in dental and oral health.
Contributor: Elisabet | Author: Bagas Prakoso | Editor: Fajar Budi H.
