Jakarta, IO – The alarming findings of the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) revealed that 93 percent of young Indonesian children suffer from dental cavities, with only 7 percent having healthy teeth. It shows that the data results from low awareness of important dental care, the idea of expensive dental care, and limited access to dental health care.
Taking care of our teeth and oral health is essential, as they are the frontline in protecting our overall well-being. Many diseases start from the lack of maintaining oral hygiene.
Concerned by these issues, Devya Aesthetic Dental & Implant Center initiated a social responsibility movement that began in 2020, which includes the following activities:
• 2020: Distribution of “Dream Boxes,” containing dental health tools and conducted free dental checkups in the Jakarta area, and donations to flood victims at SMPN 267 Jakarta.
• 2021: Distribution of medicines and dental health equipment to 273 participants across Indonesia and support for activities at 300 MSMEs during the pandemic.
• 2022: Collaboration with the Indonesian Dental Association (PDGI), which involved over 3,000 elementary school children in mass tooth brushing, free dental check-ups, and treatment, across nine major cities in Indonesia.
• 2023: Educational support provision to children in Payakumbuh, Padang, West Sumatra, and an event of mass tooth brushing, dental check-ups, and free dental treatment for underprivileged children, street children, orphans, and elementary school students in South Jakarta.
This year, Devya Aesthetic Dental & Implant Center collaborates with PDGI Jakarta (Indonesian Dentists Association) to reorganize the annual social responsibility movement titled “Indonesian Families’ Healthy Smiles” (Senyum Sehat Keluarga Indonesia).
This event was conducted to celebrate Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day, which coincided with a monthlong celebration of the nation’s anniversary. The event took place at Plaza Tenggara Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, on Saturday, August 24, 2024.
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The event, which began early in the morning, started with a mass tooth brushing activity involving over 1,000 children from various schools, followed by free dental check-ups and treatments and dental health education for the public.
Prominent Indonesian singer Melly Goeslaw added to the excitement by singing her popular hits on the stage.
“We intend to educate and raise awareness about the importance of dental and oral health, as the foundation of our overall well-being, in an effective and accessible way. If more families adopt good dental and oral health practices, we can reduce the prevalence of dental and oral problems in Indonesia. We also hope that this event will inspire other clinics and health centers to organize similar activities,” explained Drg. Devya Linda SpBM, FISID, founder of Devya Aesthetic Dental & Implant Center. (des)