UNAIR NEWS 鈥撀Last Sunday, April 2, World Autism Awareness Day was commemorated. In Surabaya, academicians of Faculty of Dental Medicine 东京热 held a counseling and dental health exam for children with autism.
The coordinator of Paediatric Dental Medicine program (IKGA), Tania Saskianti, drg, Sp.KGA (K)., Ph.D, said that the event for hundreds of children with autism involved six paediatric dentists from IKGA department, and eleven dentists from IDGAI of East Java.
鈥淭here are six paediatric dentists from IKGA FKG UNAIR staff and eleven specialists from IDGAI of East Java. There are a lot of children involved in this event, about a hundred and they are accompanied by their parents,鈥 said Tania.
In the counseling, the dentists educated the participants on how to look after their oral hygiene. To get better impact on children, the counseling was done through drama, pantomime, songs and interesting pictures.
The children with autism showed enthusiasm. 鈥淭hey were enthusiastic and many parents and kids visited the booth for dental check up,鈥 said Coordinator of IKGA program.
Tania admitted that there are no obstacles during the event as the dentists accustomed to treating children. 鈥淭here were no obstacles as the destists are used to the children鈥檚 behavior. They are like other children. Our counseling is emphasized on their habit on looking after their oral and dental hygiene,鈥 explained Tania.
According to Tania, the cases of dental hygiene of these special children are similar to other children. They have caries and cavities problems. Therefore, she suggested the parents to find special dentists for their special child.
鈥淓xcellent skills and knowledge are needed so the treatment to these special kids can be done fast. Empathy from the dentist is also needed so the parents can consult comfortably about their children鈥檚 oral hygiene,鈥 said Tania who has studied in聽University of聽Hiroshima, Japan.
The event was a part of Walk for Autism held by the City hall of Surabaya. There were also art performances from the children with autism.
Author: Defrina Sukma S
