YOGYAKARTA –To mark the Kartini day on 21 April 2012, Faculty of Dentistry UGM in collaboration with Prof. Soedomo Dental and Oral Hospital, KORPAGAMA UGM Clinic and BMT Beringharjo conduct health screening and free dental check up for 250 women porters in Beringharjo market. Interestingly, as many 40 members of the medical team, both dentists and general practitioners, mostly women, dressed in Kartini-style kebaya.
According to the Director of Prof. Soedomo Hospital, Dr. drg. Ahmad Syaify, Sp.Perio (K), dental patching and pulling services become priority, because the biggest cases in the community are cavities (caries) and damaged teeth that retraction needs to be done.
"Incidentally, the most dominant case found in Prof. Soedomo Hospital is dental caries. This is in line with national data that caries prevalence is still the top among dental and oral diseases," Syaifi said on the sidelines of the event in the Hall of Muttaqien Mosque at Beringharjo Market complex, Saturday (21/4).
Syaifi said that in addition to dental extraction and filling, the workers also consulted other health issues pertaining to oral and dental problems as well as common diseases such as braces, oral surgery, dental diamond to the installation of dental implant. In this activity, Prof. Soedomo Hospital also provided a dentist car which serves like the Dental Unit.
"Later, the patient will get patching and tooth extraction services like in a doctor’s air-conditioned room," he added.
The free health check-up was welcomed by the women porters. One from Sentolo in Kulonprogo, Paijem (50), said she was happy because her damaged teeth can be treated without paying costs.
"My teeth were repealed and not hurt," Paijem said.
Meanwhile, Uut, one of the administrators of BMT Beringharjo said up to now the women porters routinely receive health care, but this is the first time for dental and oral check-up.
"This is the first time and hopefully this can continue in the future," Uut said.