The Integrated Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (BRTPD) Pundong in Yogyakarta played a significant role in the social agenda of the 2024 Dental Summer Course, organized by the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM). This annual event not only involved students from various ASEAN countries in academic activities but also encouraged them to directly engage in community service. One of the main activities was dental health education for persons with disabilities, organized by the Dental Hygiene Study Program (PSHG) on 18 July 2024.
The educational activity, in the form of a workshop, was accompanied by several lecturers of PSHG, including drg. Trianna Wahyu Utami, MDSc., Ph.D, drg. Iffah Mardhiyah, M.Biomed., and Bekti Nur’aini, S.Kp.G., M.P.H., as well as PSHG students. In this activity, PSHG students focused on providing dental health education with methods tailored to participants with disabilities, helping them improve awareness and self-care skills in maintaining oral health.
drg. Iffah Mardhiyah, M.Biomed., emphasized the importance of specific education, stating, "By providing the right education, we hope that persons with disabilities can become more independent in maintaining their dental health." This educational approach was not only theoretical but also took into account the physical and psychological conditions of the participants, ensuring more optimal outcomes.
This hands-on experience helped PSHG students apply promotional and preventive knowledge while also honing their communication skills in real-life situations. Besides providing direct benefits to the community, this activity also strengthened FKG UGM’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality).
Overall, the 2024 Dental Summer Course demonstrated FKG UGM’s concrete efforts to integrate learning with community service that has a real impact, while also expanding international cooperation in the field of dental health.
Contributor: Bekti Nur’aini | Author: Diva Luthfi
