On 14-15 September 2025, Prof. Dr. drg. Dewi Agustina, MD.Sc., MD.Sc., was invited to speak at the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahasaraswati University, Denpasar, Bali. During NiMS 2025, Prof. Dewi delivered a presentation titled “Oral Health and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life of Elderly in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.” In her presentation, she explained the characteristics of older adults, common oral conditions found in the elderly—whether physiological or pathological—and how these conditions may be influenced by local and systemic factors, as well as medication effects. Regardless of their condition, one important effort is to optimize the quality of life of older adults, including their oral health-related quality of life. The presentation also highlighted research findings focused on oral health and oral health-related quality of life among the elderly population in Yogyakarta.
A Brief Overview of the Niken Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship includes a Health Promotion Award for one young Indonesian researcher, and an International Exchange Award for Indonesian and Japanese undergraduate students. This year’s program will culminate in the “Tokushima–Indonesia Student/Faculty Exchange Kick-off Webinar – Honoring Prof. Niken.”
A Glimpse into NiMS
The scholarship was established with the aim of providing opportunities for students to advance their education, research, and career pathways, while also honoring the contributions of Prof. drg. Niken Widyanti Sriyono in education and continuing her noble vision. The program is dedicated to outstanding scholars who will continue to become successful “global dentists” in the future. Prof. drg. Niken Widyanti Sriyono, Professor of FKG UGM (18 August 1942 – 15 November 2020).
Niken Memorial Scholarship for Health Promotion (NiMS-HP)
NiMS-HP will be awarded to one Indonesian researcher, accompanied by a certificate and funding of JPY 40,000. The Niken Memorial Scholarship for Dental Materials, Magnetic Applications, and Dental Instruments (NiMS-DM) will be awarded to one Indonesian or Japanese researcher, along with a certificate and funding of JPY 30,000.
Niken Memorial Award for International Exchange (NiMS-EX)
This award will be granted to Japanese and Indonesian undergraduate students, accompanied by certificates. A total of JPY 60,000 will be shared among the award recipients.
This topic was selected because oral health among older adults generally worsens with age, as oral health is still not a priority in many communities. Poor oral conditions significantly affect overall quality of life, including oral health-related quality of life. It is hoped that this presentation will raise awareness and motivate older adults to improve their oral health conditions in order to enhance their quality of life, enabling them to live more comfortably.
Quality of life is strongly influenced by optimal organ function, including oral function. When oral function is impaired (for example, due to oral diseases that cause various disturbances), oral health-related quality of life will decline. Therefore, achieving a good quality of life requires efforts to optimize organ function and minimize impairments. In conclusion, oral health must consistently be maintained so that its function can be optimized to achieve a good quality of life.
Based on Prof. Dewi’s research experience regarding older adults over the past 10 years, oral health conditions among the elderly can be categorized as relatively stagnant, with improvements, if any, being minimal. This may be attributed to several factors, including low awareness of the importance of oral health, the numerous risk factors present in older adults, and the relatively high cost of dental care.
Prof. Dewi emphasized that the most significant “homework” related to improving and sustaining oral health quality in older adults is increasing public outreach and innovation in raising awareness about the importance of oral health. Good oral health leads to a better quality of life.
Author :Andri Wicaksono | Photo: Archive of Prof. Dr. drg. Dewi Agustina, MD.Sc., MD.Scs
