Surabaya – Students from the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), has once again made her mark on the international stage by winning second place in the Literature Review competition at the 11th Airlangga Dentistry Scientific Meeting 2024 held at Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, on Saturday (2 November 2024).
This competition is part of an annual event organized by the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Airlangga (FKG Unair), which includes four categories: Literature Review, Research Competition, Public Poster, and Essay.
Participants came from various universities, including Universitas Airlangga, Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Brawijaya, Universitas Ciputra, Universitas Padjadjaran, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Universiti Teknologi Mara from Malaysia.
The UGM team, consisting of Lutfia Nur Sabrina, Efrin Qorina, and Aulia Nathaniela F., under the guidance of drg. Rezmelia Sari, MSc., Sp.Perio., SubSp.RPID(K), from the Periodontics Department, impressed the judges with their literature review on the theme “Beyond the Smile: Exploring Multidisciplinary Approaches in Dentistry.”
The literature focused on aesthetic issues in periodontal health, particularly smoker melanosis, a darkening of the gums in smokers that often affects self-confidence.
In their presentation, the UGM students proposed an innovative solution by creating a patch made from natural materials such as shrimp shell waste and guava leaves, which can be applied to the gums to reduce pigmentation. This approach not only addresses aesthetic concerns but also promotes environmental awareness through the use of recycled materials.
“We wanted to create a solution that is not only effective but also sustainable. By using natural materials, we hope to inspire environmentally friendly innovations in dental health,” said one of the team members.
This event provided a platform for students to present research and innovative ideas relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly quality education and sustainable innovation and infrastructure. The success of the UGM team in this competition reflects the university's commitment to fostering a culture of research and creative solutions in dentistry.
Additionally, the event provided valuable opportunities for participants to expand their networks and share ideas, particularly in the field of periodontal health. The cross-university collaboration established is expected to support future research development.
The UGM team’s success on the international stage not only brings pride to the university but also inspires other students to innovate in the field of dentistry. This achievement further strengthens UGM’s role in producing innovative generations capable of addressing global challenges. This aligns with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG Goal 4 (Quality Education) and SDG Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
Contributor: drg. Rezmelia Sari, MSc., Sp.Perio., SubSp.RPID(K) | Author: Pram
