Faculty of Dentistry of Universitas Gadjah Mada, once again, held free dental examination and treatment for general public from 15 to 17 September 2011 in the Dental and Mouth Hospital UGM. The free dental services include simple dental fillings, complication-free tooth extraction, tartar/scaling treatment, medical consultation and education to children and parents.
Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Dr. drg. Iwa Sutardjo R.S, S.U, Sp.KGA (K), mentions this free dental examination is one of the activities to celebrate National Dental Health Month 2011. This examination is the second time held at UGM after previously held in 2010. In the 2010 event, the Faculty managed to get a positive appreciation from the community. At least there were 2700 patients who were served by 408 dentists.
"We expect that this year event could reach more community members to receive the free dental care," says Iwa during the press conference with reporters on Thursday (15/9) in the hospital.
Iwa said that on the first day around 350 general and children patients were registered. The health workers are between 20 to 30 people. "In this free dental check we also invite elementary school students. Approximately, there are 10 primary schools that we invited," he said. Iwa adds that the implementation of Free Dental Examination 2011 cannot be separated with the appalling dental and mouth health condition of Indonesian society. Basic Health Research Data said that as much as 43.4% of Indonesian people aged over 12 years had active dental caries (not handled) and as high as 67.2% had caries experience where more than one tooth damaged.
"In addition, this activity is conducted as a form of health services for the community seeing that there is a significant rise in patient’s attendance to Dental and Mouth Hospital during the 2010 free dental services," he explained
The 2011 event that is held from September 12 to October 29, 2011 at 14 Dental and Mouth Hospitals and PDGI branches in 6 cities in Indonesia is the result of a joint commitment between PDGI, AFDOKGI and Pepsodent in providing free dental check for the public through Faculty of Dentistry in some areas in Indonesia.
Professional Relationship Manager Oral Care of PT Unilever Indonesia, Drg. Ratu Mirah Afifah., GCClindent., MDSC., conveys that communities do not only receive a range of free examination services, but also educational programs for parents and children. “We do this in order to maintain awareness of dental hygiene and health from the early age for family," she said.
This event, according to Ratu Mirah, is one of corporate social responsibility activities of Unilever which aims to improve the dental health of the community. In addition to free dental examinations, the community gets dental health education program, such as to brush the teeth regularly and properly, or regularly to visit the dentist every six months.
The free dental check apparently received a positive response from the community. Alya Safa Amri, fifth grader of Gambir Anom elementary school, said she was happy with the free dental check. "I’m really glad with this free dental check we know the health condition of our teeth," said Alya who also took part in the free dental checks last year.
Similar statements were also conveyed by Titin who come to get free teeth extraction. She was pleased with the free dental check service. "I was intentionally come here to have a tooth extracted, it’s good that it’s free so no need to spend any money for it. I hope that this kind of activity is held routinely,” Titin said.