The Gadjah Mada Dental Hygiene Conference is the first international meeting organized by the Dental Hygiene Study Program. This meeting was held to celebrate a decade of this program. The meeting was held from 28-29 June 2019 at the UGM Senate Hall involving speakers as well as participants from the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia, which was opened directly by the Rector of UGM. Deputy of Education and Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr.rer.soc.R. Agus Sartono, M.B.A., as well as the Deputy of Health Improvemnt, drg. Agus Suprapto, M.Kes, from the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, was the keynote speaker at this meeting.
Dental Hygiene is a new and the only study program in Indonesia. Dental hygiene has developed very well internationally, both in academic and professional aspects. UGM Rector said that to date, the program has collaborated with various credible institutions in the world, including the International Federation of Dental Hygienists. This international meeting was highly appreciated by the two deputies present.
Prof. Agus Sartono, said that such meeting is necessary to improve Indonesia’s existence in the world so that Indonesia is not left behind in terms of the development of science and technology. It was also stated that Indonesia needs to be more open to development. Drg. Agus Suprapto reported that based on the latest Basic Health Research report, the dental health problems of Indonesians are concerning. Certain strategic steps are needed to realize the vision of a caries-free Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. drg. Regina TC. Tandelilin, M.Sc. as Chair of the Study Program and Chair of the Committee stated in her presentation that the main science in the Study Program had been developed based on Dental Hygiene science which has developed very well since decades ago. This study program aims to produce experts who are able to think critically through the study of scientific evidence to create new discoveries on the aspects of oral and dental disease prevention as well as health promotion in addition to other competencies. Dental health problems faced by Indonesia certainly do not only require skills development, but also require structured and systematic academic thinking. Prof. Regina also mentioned that this Study Program has a great opportunity to make contributions and it needs to be continuously improved.
The 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Dental Hygiene Study Program was also carried out through community service activities, oral presentation competitions, and dental health education posters. The Chairman of the Committee hopes that this kind of activity can be carried out regularly to make contributions for Indonesia. Gratitude was expressed to all parties who have provided support for this event.
