[Unpad.ac.id, 24/10/2016] For the seventh time, the National Dental Health Month (BKGN) again was held at the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG), Universitas Padjadjaran. Activities in cooperation of FKG Unpad, Unilever Indonesia, the Indonesian Dentists Association (PDGI), and the Association of Faculty of Dentistry Indonesia (AFDOKGI) was held at the Dental Hospital Universitas Padjadjaran starting on Monday (24/10) to Wednesday (26/10). This year, BKGN seeks to urge people to recognize and prevent bad habits related to dental health of children.
One of those bad habits is the lack of awareness to brush teeth properly. Dean of FKG Unpad, Dr. Nina Djustiana, drg., M.Kes., revealed that although 97.8% of West Java community has done to brush teeth twice a day, only 1.8% were brushing their teeth at the correct time, the morning after breakfast and at night before bed ,
“The figure was still below the very low national average, namely 2.3%,” said Dr. Nina.
Similar with Dr. Nina, the Head of Professional Oral Care Relationship PT Unilever Indonesia, Tbk drg. Queen Mirah Afifah GCClindent., MDSc revealed that public awareness of West Java brush their teeth at the correct time is still low. Despite the fact that brushing teeth twice a day in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed for at least 2 minutes can reduce the risk of cavities by 50%.
Parents also should accompany their children while brushing. Children who are accompanied by a parent when brushing teeth showed significant differences in the index of oral hygiene, gingivitis and cavities than those who are not accompanied by a parent.
In addition to how and when brushing is not appropriate, another bad habit is to not visit dentist regularly. Usually, the child is taken to the dentist when it is already in a illness. “So it will bring prolonged trauma to adulthood,” said drg. Mirah.
Meanwhile, Professor of Dentistry, Prof. Dr. Willyanti Soewondo Sjarif, drg., SpKGA (K) revealed that a number of other bad habits often are regarded as “normal”. Some bad habits are sucking fingers causing interference with the growth and development of the teeth, and drink milk or sugary liquid from a bottle until he fell asleep, causing dental caries. Prof. Willyanti suggested, after a child drinking milk, they should rinse their mouth. Children over two years are not recommended to drink milk from a bottle, and should use glass.
Therefore, BKGN is present as one of the media that can help parents to recognize and avoid bad habits. BKGN can also be utilized for the general public who wish to conduct dental and oral care for free.
Dr. Nina also said, as a manifestation of the three responsibilities of Higher Education, BKGN in FKG Unpad will provide simple curative services, promotive and preventive, especially to provide an understanding of the importance of maintaining healthy teeth and mouth.
“Actually we want to emphasize the preventive aspect rather than curative. We want all to be healthy, so everything is prevention for occurrence of toothache and mouth disease, “said Dr. Nina.
Each year, BKGN in FKG Unpad attracted more than 1,000 people. The community can come to visit for consultation, simple fillings, extractions without complications, tartar cleaning, cavity prevention and treatment. The BKGN at Unpad used the theme “Happy Smile, Happy Life”. With the theme, they expected healthy teeth to bring a cheery smile and a happy life. *
Reported by Artanti Hendriyana / eh
