Are you dreaming of a career as a dentist? If so, start your dream by enrolling in the undergraduate Dentistry program at the UGM Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM). Later, you will undergo a 1.5-year internship to obtain a professional dentist title (drg).
However, being a dentist is not just about treating damaged teeth but also about being responsible for caring for and promoting oral and dental health.
FKG UGM can be a program to pursue your aspirations. The number of prospective students who want to study in this program is high yearly. In 2023, 1,260 people applied for the program, which has a capacity of 150 students. This means one student is accepted out of every eight applicants.
At the undergraduate level, FKG UGM offers a Dental Hygiene program in addition to the Dentistry program.
Dean of FKG UGM, Dr. Suryono, explained that the Dentistry program facilitates academic education for prospective dental medicine students through interactive lectures, laboratory practices, pre-clinical skills laboratories, case-based discussions, and team-based projects based on the Dental Doctor Competency Standards.
Furthermore, according to Dean Suryono, the Dental Hygiene program, also a pioneer in dental hygiene education in Indonesia, teaches students about preventive actions for oral and dental disorders.
“The Dental Hygiene program at UGM has international collaborations with various global dental hygiene education institutions,” said the dean on Thursday (Apr. 18).
Dean Suryono mentioned that since its establishment 76 years ago, FKG UGM has been committed to maintaining excellence standards in education, research, and community service in dentistry.
“We continue to innovate, collaborate, and strive to make meaningful contributions to society and the field of dental medicine,” said Dean Suryono.
Regarding the learning system, FKG UGM implements a Student-Centered Learning (SCL) method with a collaborative-cooperative learning approach.
This learning system is expected to support graduates’ achievements and create dentists with outstanding character, innovation, high discipline, noble ethics, Pancasila values, and responsibility toward the nation’s future.
Khalisa Assyura Varandra (19), a Dentistry student at UGM from Pekanbaru, admitted that she enjoys studying at FKG UGM because becoming a dentist has been her childhood dream. Becoming a dentist makes her feel closer to the community. One of her favorite courses is tooth conservation.
“In this course, we learn how to fill teeth, and I like it because I think it’s very applicable in daily life,” said Varandra.
Regarding her plans after graduating and being appointed as a dentist, Varandra said she wants to work in a hospital and also intends to open her practice.
Siti Aina Nurhaliza (20) shared the same sentiment. She enjoys courses related to tooth conservation and dental biomaterials.
“I like the practical part. It’s fun. The practical sessions help me understand the materials learned in class,” said Nurhaliza.
Besides studying, Nurhaliza is active in student organization activities or the university’s summer courses. According to her, the summer course program that brings in international students allows her to gain international experience and expand her network.
“Participating in summer or winter courses allows us to discuss and learn dental materials from various dentists and dental medicine students from other countries,” she concluded.
Author: Dita
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie