FKG UGM once again organized the New Student Admission Selection for the Specialist Dental Education Program (PPDGS) Wave II for the 2026/2027 Academic Year. The rigorous selection process not only assessed academic abilities, but also emphasized integrity, psychological health, and the professional readiness of future specialist dentists.
During the opening session, the committee explained that the selection stages had begun several weeks earlier, including document screening, written examinations, MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) tests, and interviews. The process was then continued with department-based examinations and practical tests on the following day.
Selection committee chairman drg. Hendri Susanto, M.Kes., Ph.D., Sp.PM., explained that this year’s second wave attracted approximately 133 applicants across various specialist programs. The enthusiasm among young dentists to pursue specialist education at the Faculty of Dentistry UGM continues to show a strong upward trend. According to committee data, the most competitive programs were Conservative Dentistry and Orthodontics, which once again became the top choices among participants.
According to committee data, the most competitive programs were Conservative Dentistry and Orthodontics, which once again became the top choices among participants.
Conservative Dentistry attracted 46 applicants, while Orthodontics had 39 applicants. Several other programs also showed competitive interest. The Master’s Program in Clinical Dental Science (IKGK) received 7 applicants.
Meanwhile, Pediatric Dentistry (KGA) attracted 14 applicants, Prosthodontics 11 applicants, and Periodontics 7 applicants.
The Dental Radiology Program received 7 applicants, while Oral Medicine (IPM) became the program with the fewest applicants, attracting only 2 participants.
Despite the relatively small number of applicants, faculty leaders considered Oral Medicine to have major future prospects.
“Nationally, Oral Medicine is one of the government’s priority fields. Career opportunities are very wide open,” stated the Dean of FKG UGM.
According to him, the demand for specialist dentists in hospitals and healthcare facilities continues to increase, especially in fields that still lack experts.
“Let us not focus too much on the numbers and competition. The important thing is that everyone goes through this process in a healthy, calm, and optimal manner,” he said during the opening remarks.
Dean of FKG UGM, Prof. drg. Suryono, S.H., M.M., Ph.D., stated that the high interest in these programs reflects the growing demand for specialist dental services in society.
“Conservative Dentistry has always been the favorite. From year to year, interest remains very high, and the quality of the students is also excellent,” he said.
Beware of Digital Cheating
In addition to highlighting psychological aspects, the committee also addressed the increasing potential for cheating during online examinations. Evaluations from previous selection processes revealed indications of remote assistance and device manipulation during tests.
The committee admitted that supervision has now become stricter through video monitoring and digital activity tracking.
“Trust in your own abilities. Do not use dishonest methods because monitoring systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated,” the Dean of FKG UGM firmly reminded participants.
According to the committee, cheating cases not only harm institutions but also violate the ethics of the medical profession, which demands honesty and responsibility from the very beginning of education.
High Interest in Certain Programs
Internal presentations during the selection process highlighted Conservative Dentistry as the most sought-after program. The program is considered to consistently maintain strong educational quality and student graduation rates.
Conversely, fields such as Oral Medicine still attract relatively fewer applicants, even though nationally they are among the priority areas for specialist healthcare workforce needs.
Faculty leaders stated that the government has begun paying greater attention to fulfilling the need for specialist dentists in hospitals and regional healthcare facilities.
“Nationally, the need for oral medicine specialists is quite large. This is actually a very promising opportunity,” he explained.
He also opened the possibility of redistributing applicants’ interests toward programs that still require additional students, provided academic mechanisms allow it.
Maintaining the Quality of Specialist Dental Education
FKG UGM emphasized that the strict selection process is part of its effort to maintain the quality of specialist dental education in Indonesia. The admission system is now adjusted according to graduation capacity and each program’s educational capabilities.
According to faculty leaders, a rigorous selection model is necessary to maintain graduate quality and avoid imbalances between incoming student numbers and the faculty’s academic and clinical supervision capacity.
“We want to ensure that those admitted are truly prepared to undergo specialist education professionally, academically, and mentally,” said the Dean of FKG UGM.
At the same time, FKG UGM also supports the development of specialist dental education at other universities across Indonesia to help fulfill the increasing national demand for specialists.
A Humanistic Selection Process
Although highly competitive, the selection atmosphere was maintained in a humanistic manner. Participants were encouraged not to view the process as excessive pressure, but rather as part of a professional journey toward achieving their aspirations.
The committee also reminded participants that the final result is not the sole measure of success, because every doctor’s career path is different.
“The important thing is that you have done your best. Whether accepted or not, it is part of life’s process and learning journey,” said the Dean of FKG UGM.
Through a combination of academic, psychological, integrity-based, and professional readiness assessments, FKG UGM hopes to produce specialist dentists who excel not only in scientific knowledge, but also in ethics and humanity.
FKG UGM Responds to the Demand for Specialist Dentists
FKG UGM believes that the increasing interest in specialist education reflects young dentists’ growing awareness of the need to improve professional competence amid modern healthcare challenges.
At the same time, the faculty continues striving to maintain educational quality by limiting admissions according to clinical learning capacity and each department’s academic supervision capabilities.
With increasingly competitive and comprehensive selection processes, FKG UGM hopes to produce specialist dentists who are academically excellent, highly ethical, and capable of addressing Indonesia’s future dental healthcare needs.
(Reporter: Andri Wicaksono, Photographer: Fajar Budi Harsakti)
