PT Kaltim Methanol Industri (KMI) held an outreach activity on the prevention of dental and oral diseases to the Guntung and Loktuan buffer zone communities, Tuesday (24/10/2023).
This socialization activity was carried out thanks to the collaboration between PT KMI and the Doctoral Study Program in Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Gajah Mada University (UGM) in the context of community service.
Taking place at the Guntung Village General Meeting Hall (BPU), North Bontang, this socialization activity was attended by around 55 participants, consisting of Guntung and Loktuan Village officials, RT administrators, and the general public.
In this activity, the company, which is known to care about the buffer zone community, also carried out oral and dental examinations for dozens of children with special needs at two special schools (YPK & Amali) in Taman City (as Bontang is called).
GA & PR Deputy Dept. PT KMI Manager, Harry Iswara said, this socialization activity was a real form of the company's concern for the communities around the company, especially in the health sector.
Harry explained that the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program in the health sector has actually been running since 2019 (before the pandemic) and even though it was stopped due to the Covid-19 pandemic, activities were carried out by providing dental health education online, and currently since Last month the program started running again.
“This is a long-term activity. "Hopefully the next activity will not only socialize dental and oral health, but there will also be other health programs," said Harry.
Harry hopes that the activities carried out this time can provide progress to the community, especially in maintaining and caring for dental and oral health.
"Through this activity, we hope that UGM undergraduate (S3) students can analyze and design, and then create solutions to overcome a number of dental and oral disease problems that exist in society," he said.
Dental and oral health socialization participants take a group photo at BPU Guntung Village, North Bontang District, Bontang City, East Kalimantan (Digtal/Asep)
Meanwhile, Head of the Department of Preventive Dentistry and Public Dental Health Sciences, Gajah Mada University, drg. Lisdrianto Hanindriyo stated that this outreach activity was part of a series of collaboration between the Faculty of Dentistry, Gajah Mada University (UGM) and PT KMI in the context of research-based community service.
Apart from carrying out outreach, he said, in different places, his team also carried out special oral and dental examinations for children with special needs. The aim is to create innovative medical devices that are more specific for children with Down syndrome.
"We also provide psycho education to them," he explained.
The bespectacled man added that, in general, dental and oral problems are triggered by inappropriate lifestyle patterns or individual behavior. For example, brushing your teeth not on time. Consuming foods and drinks that can damage teeth, for example consuming foods and drinks that are sweet and sticky.
"Dental and mouth problems can be prevented, at least by brushing your teeth at the right time and in the right way, such as after breakfast and before bed," he said.
Lisdrianto said that so far the most common dental and oral problems are cavities and periodontal disease or the tissue supporting the teeth. All of these diseases, he continued, are caused by a person's lack of proper care for oral health.
When we talk about dental and oral health, it's not just about porous teeth or cavities, he said. There are also diseases of the gums and supporting tissues caused by smoking. The heat of cigarettes can reduce the flow of saliva and blood supply to tissues, which can cause inflammation. In addition, it can cause changes in tooth color.
“The behavior of maintaining oral and dental health needs to become an awareness and habit. "Apart from brushing your teeth properly, people must also regularly check their teeth at least once every six months," he said.
A team from Dentistry and Community Dental Health Sciences at Gajah Mada University checking the dental and oral health of children with special needs in Bontang City, East Kalimantan (ist)
From media observations at the location, Guntung and Loktuan residents seemed enthusiastic about participating in the socialization. Not only do they get knowledge about dental and oral health, they can also consult directly and for free about dental and oral problems with experts directly.
Tika, for example, a Guntung resident who represents the sub-district PKK, admitted that he was happy to take part in this activity. According to him, this activity is very beneficial for the community. The knowledge he has gained will not only be disseminated within his family, but will also be educated to other people in the Guntung Village PKK environment.
“This activity is very good and useful for us. "I can also consult about the health of my teeth, some of which happen to have permanent fillings," he explained.
Tika hopes that similar activities can be carried out again, but not only targeting parents, but also targeting children who are still in Early Childhood Education (PAUD).
Representing Guntung Subdistrict, Head of Community Empowerment Section, Hasmawi, expressed his appreciation to PT KMI for its concern so far. He hopes that the socialization participants can absorb the knowledge shared by the resource person and then apply it to their respective families.
“We from the sub-district welcome this activity. "Hopefully this activity can be carried out sustainably," said Hasmawi
