USU PR - The Faculty of Dentistry of the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) intensifies education related to dental and oral care from an early age through the activities of Senyum Sehat Indonesia Welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadan 1445 H. The activity took place at the USU Faculty of Dentistry on Monday-Tuesday (19-20/02/2024).

This is the first time the activity has been included in the official agenda and implemented by the USU Faculty of Dentistry. In this activity, free education will be held for schools, Islamic boarding schools and ma'had. There will also be tooth brushing activities with students, as well as Free Dental Treatment aimed at students and teachers.

USU Vice Rector I for Academic, Student Affairs, and Alumni Affairs Dr. Edy Ikhsan, S.H., M.A., stated that in welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadan 1445 H which is in sight, Muslims will carry out fasting for one full month, so they must really pay attention to oral health to avoid disturbances that hinder fasting.

“We pray that the dental treatment carried out by FKG USU can provide a guarantee of better oral health, welcoming Ramadan Karim,” said Dr. Edy.

The Vice Rector I explained that this activity is a real effort of the USU Faculty of Dentistry in reducing the number of patients with oral health problems in the community, through educational activities to various elements of society, socialization in community service activities, and finding new innovations in efforts to deal with oral health problems.

“I really appreciate all the performance carried out as a dedication to humanity that cannot be compared with any material,” said Dr. Edy.

Dean of FKG, Dr. drg. Essie Octiara Sp.KGA, Subs.PKOA(K) explained that this activity was an implementation of collaboration with Unilever Indonesia to provide free dental care. There are also cooperation partners, involving the Darul Arafat Foundation Pesantren and Mahad Abu Ubaidah. Furthermore, there will be joint toothbrushing activities and dental health counseling which will involve 500 students from both cooperation partners.

“Hopefully, this will become a role model activity, and next year, it will still be carried out before the month of Ramadan, free dental care for students in Medan and other cities,” hoped Dr. Essie.

Director of USU Dental and Oral Hospital, drg. Siti Salmiah Sp.KGA.Subsp.KKA (K), explained that RSGM USU has prepared 84 dental units, which are used to carry out treatment for santri children. Then they also provide support for the implementation of joint tooth brushing activities and other counseling activities.

Ratu Mirah Afifah, Head of Professional Marketing Personal Care at Unilever Indonesia, emphasized that healthy teeth and mouth are one of the keys to a healthy and productive life, especially before the month of Ramadan. She also presented dental health data in Indonesia. Only 2.8% have brushed their teeth at the right time, and only 10% visit the dentist regularly every six months.

“Therefore, we want to contribute through cooperation to continue to provide positive benefits to the people in Indonesia, especially in Medan City,” explained Ratu.

Author: Bambang Riyanto - Public Relations

Interviewee: Dr. Edy Ikhsan - Vice Rector 1 USU

Photographer: Amri Simatupang - Public Relations