UNAIR NEWS – Indonesia is currently in a worrying state in terms of if problem of child dental caries.聽Indonesia is considered as a country with high dental caries rates of children 12 years and under (DMF-T above 3.5) based on WHO-SEARO 2016 data.
The attitude and behavior of parents, especially mothers, in maintaining dental health has a significant influence on children’s behavior.聽A mother should have knowledge, attitudes, and actions that are good for dental and oral health in order to provide oral health education to their children.
But unfortunately, it turns out most Indonesian mothers are not prepared or ready in monitoring the condition of her child’s teeth.
For example, based on the findings of a group of students Practicing Field Lectures (PKL) of Faculty of Dental Medicine (FKG) in Mulyorejo Community Health Center from August-September 2018 study, only 9 pregnant women were treated in the dental clinics of 424 pregnant women who come to the Puskesmas.聽This is something that is unfortunate.聽Pregnant women are the 聽beginning of 聽a life.聽However, it turned out that their behavior and interest to visit dentists was very low.
This finding inspired them to make an innovation to improve number of visits by pregnant women to dental clinics.
“Together with the leaders and dentists of the Mulyorejo Public Health Center, we designed a media guide for mothers since pregnancy, so that they can independently monitor the health conditions of their teeth and mouth, as well as their future children,” said Amalia Wimarizky, S.KG, Mulyorejo PKL group team leader.
“We offer convenience in using this GIAT card, by inserting it in KIA book.聽Pregnant women and related medical personnel can easily perform dental and oral health examination and record it later, “said Amalia.
On the other hand, the Surabaya City Health Office also has聽the same聽concerns聽as the students.聽Drg.聽Fabia Yustiaputri, Mulyorejo Health Center dentist also expressed her appreciation.
“Health centers in the city of Surabaya next year are targeted to be able to have tools or media to record dental health since pregnancy, such as the usual health card, but the dental and oral version,” she explained.
“After the students showed this GIAT card, and tested on pregnant women and cadres, it turned out to meet our expectations as medical practitioners at the Puskesmas.聽It is a tool similar to a health card that is needed by us, “said Drg.聽Febi,.
This GIAT card, designed to be used as a medium for recording dental and oral health disorders during pregnancy, especially in cases of gingivitis during pregnancy.聽Equipped with simple cards, charts and columns typical for health, this GIAT card can be filled easily for pregnant women and cadres.
“The GIAT Card is currently in the development stage towards the creation of Surabaya Towards Healthy Teeth(KMGS) Card, in collaboration with the Surabaya City Health Office.聽Next, the GIAT card will be socialized in the Ketabang area, and several other areas in the city of Surabaya.聽This is thanks to the innovation of our students in the field, “said Drg.聽Gilang Rasuna Sabdho Wening, M.Kes, Lecturer of the Department of Community Dental Health Sciences (IKGM) FKG UNAIR as the lecturer of PKL team.聽(*)
Author: Irma Josefina Savitri
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
