A student of the Specialist Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (BMM) at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM), drg. Astrodita Adya Seta, or familiarly known as drg. Astro, successfully achieved recognition at the prestigious National Congress (KONAS) and Annual Scientific Meeting (PIT) of the Indonesian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (PABMI) 2025. In the Oral Presentation category Systematic Review competition held on 26-30 August 2025 in Makassar, drg. Astro won 3rd Runner-Up.
drg. Astro presented a topic entitled “Do Different Flap Designs Have Negligible Impacts on the Removal of Mandibular Wisdom Teeth?” This theme is highly relevant, as wisdom teeth (mandibular third molars) often cause dental health problems for many people. The study was supervised by drg. Pingky Krisna Arindra, Sp.BMM. Subsp.Ped.O.M(K) and drg. Erdananda Haryosuwandito, Sp.BMM.
Why Are Wisdom Teeth a Concern?
Lower wisdom teeth often cause problems because their position makes it difficult to grow properly. Extraction is frequently chosen by dentists to prevent pain, infection, and damage to surrounding teeth. However, extraction procedures usually require flap design (a small incision in the gum) to provide better access to the tooth. The question is: do different flap designs really affect the outcome?
From the systematic review conducted, drg. Astro found that:
- The type of flap design does not significantly affect the extraction outcome.
- More important factors include the operator’s skill, the patient’s condition, and post-extraction care techniques.
In other words, flap design can be adjusted according to the dentist’s comfort without reducing the quality of the treatment outcome.
Contribution to the SDGs
This study is not only relevant to dentistry but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being through evidence-based research, the quality of dental and oral healthcare can be improved. SDG 4: Quality Educationstudent involvement in systematic research demonstrates that higher education plays a vital role in shaping competent and critical health professionals.
The achievement of winning 3rd Runner-Up at KONAS & PIT PABMI 2025 is concrete evidence that students of the Specialist Program in BMM FKG UGM can compete at the national level. This research also reflects the commitment of the Specialist Program in BMM FKG UGM to supporting improved dental healthcare services while contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Contributors: drg. Astrodita Adya Seta, Dody Hendro Wibowo | Author: Andri Wicaksono
Photo: Doc. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery FKG UGM
