Approximately 44.9 million Indonesians have registered for the Free Health Check program, with 41.89 million already undergoing medical examinations. The results reveal three of the most common health issues: dental problems, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.
The high number of people suffering from dental problems has drawn the attention of Dr. Asikin Nur, a dentist and lecturer at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM).
According to Dr. Nur, the prevalence of dental problems is largely due to a lack of awareness about oral and dental health.
“Good oral hygiene habits should be developed and maintained consistently,” said Dr. Nur on Wednesday (Oct. 22).
He further explained that several factors contribute to the widespread occurrence of dental problems, including the frequent consumption of sweet foods and beverages high in glucose.
“Foods containing high glucose levels actually increase the risk of tooth problems,” he stated.
In addition, poor oral hygiene also plays a significant role.
“Dental problems generally stem from a lack of awareness or knowledge about oral health, as well as limited access to healthcare services,” he added.
To prevent dental and oral diseases, Dr. Nur recommends routine dental check-ups at least every six months, rather than waiting for symptoms such as toothaches to appear.
“Delaying dental visits until pain arises often worsens the condition, requiring more complex treatment that takes time and incurs higher costs. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate the awareness that prevention is better than cure,” he explained.
Regarding efforts to reduce the number of dental problem cases, Dr. Nur emphasized the importance of strengthening educational programs from an early age, both in schools and in the community.
“A preventive approach through education can help raise awareness about maintaining oral and dental health,” he said.
Furthermore, Dr. Nur highlighted that ensuring the availability and equitable distribution of dental healthcare professionals, such as dental nurses and dentists, is also crucial to improving service quality.
This effort is necessary to ensure that people in both urban and rural areas have equal access to adequate dental care.
“With an even distribution of healthcare professionals, communities will have better access to examinations, treatment, and education on maintaining oral hygiene,” he explained.
He added that increasing the number and distribution of professionals in this field will also support the achievement of national health goals focused on prevention and improving the quality of life.
Equally important, he noted, the government must work to improve access to healthcare facilities, particularly in remote areas, to ensure equitable healthcare services across Indonesia.
This includes developing and upgrading health infrastructure, providing sufficient medical personnel, and utilizing technology such as telemedicine to reach hard-to-access regions.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Freepik