Oral health not only affects appearance but also has a significant impact on overall body health.
Without good oral health, the general quality of life, such as eating, speaking, and socializing, will be impaired.
Unfortunately, the availability of dental health professionals is still very limited. The high disparity between dentists and dental nurses across regions in Indonesia leaves many communities underserved and poorly informed about oral health.
This issue is also prevalent among PT Pagilaran communities in Batang, Central Java. The health clinic, which should have been utilized for the welfare of staff, their families, and nearby residents, has long been out of operation.
Responding to this concern, the UGM Faculty of Dentistry (FKG UGM), along with Prof Soedomo Dental and Oral Hospital (RSGM), UGM Academic Hospital (RSA UGM), and the Directorate of Community Service, organized a community service program on Saturday (Nov. 9) that included dental and general health check-ups for residents around PT Pagilaran.
This event also marked a series of activities for UGM’s 75th Anniversary.
The Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni, Dr. Arie Sudjito, stated that PT Pagilaran, as part of UGM’s business unit, is expected to be a site of economic production as well as knowledge production and community service.
The new management at PT Pagilaran is anticipated to bring changes, including benefits for the surrounding community.
“This activity is one way to manage the trust of the pager mangkok (local community) as our closest partners to face many challenges ahead,” said Dr. Sudjito.
He believes the company’s presence will bring prosperity and improve the quality of life for the surrounding residents.
Dr. Sudjito also emphasized the continuity of the community service program, which is a collaboration between the company and various units at UGM, so that it does not end abruptly, given the significant potential for knowledge production.
“Earlier, I heard from Professor Bundi that the dust waste from tea leaves in the factory can be an alternative active compound that can be used for dental health products,” he said.
Dr. Sudjito advised that PT Pagilaran, as UGM’s natural laboratory, should become a legitimate platform for implementing the tri-dharma of higher education, integrating teaching, research, and community service simultaneously.
Professor Widowati Siswomihardjo, as the initiator of the community service program, shared her memories of visiting PT Pagilaran 35 years ago when she was a young doctor.
“At that time, the clinic was operating well, and doctors were available, but everything changed when I brought my doctoral program students here last year. I immediately thought something needed to be done, especially since this company is part of UGM,” she recalled.
Professor Siswomihardjo, commonly known as Bundi, then conducted a screening at SD Negeri Keteleng, the company’s nearest educational facility.
The results of the mass screening showed that while the students did not display signs of stunting, dental health became a primary issue that needed immediate attention.
“From that screening, I reported to the Dean of FKG UGM and Vice-Rector Arie Sudjito. Alhamdulillah, it received a positive response and was incorporated into UGM’s Anniversary events,” she shared.
Professor Bundi explained that dental health undoubtedly improves a person’s quality of life, so she hopes this community service program will continue and not merely be a formality for the anniversary celebration.
The President Director of PT Pagilaran, Hadianto Djoko Djuliarso, who was just appointed two months ago, expressed hope regarding opportunities for community empowerment through collaboration with UGM.
As a labor-intensive company employing 1,100 workers, he wants the staff and their families to experience benefits and well-being in other forms, including regular health check-ups provided by UGM’s health cluster.
“I hope that future empowerment programs will emerge and bring benefits not only to the staff and their families but also to the surrounding community of PT Pagilaran,” he concluded.
Doctors and co-assistant students currently serving at RSGM and RSA UGM conducted dental and oral health check-ups and general health check-ups.
The dental examinations were tailored to the patient’s needs, including initial check-ups, tooth extractions, fillings, and consultations for other dental complaints.
Meanwhile, general health check-ups included monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and uric acid and consultations for other general health concerns.
The health check-ups were divided into two locations: at PT Pagilaran for staff and their families and SD Negeri Keteleng as a follow-up to the screening conducted in 2023.
Author/Photographer: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya