Universitas Indonesia (UI), through the Faculty of Dentistry (FKG), continues to strengthen its commitment to increasing awareness of dental and oral health, especially for groups with special needs. To answer the challenges of health education for deaf children, drg. Amandita Parameswari, M.Kes., a lecturer at FKG UI, launched a research-based educational innovation in the form of Kartu Edukasi Kesehatan Gigi Warna Warni (Colorful Dental Health Education Cards), known as Kartu Ka Gi Ni.
“This card is an effective learning mediator because deaf students can recognize various ways of dental-oral care and prevention efforts. This card is the result of my thesis research as an innovative method in providing dental and oral health education to deaf children,” said drg. Amandita.
This innovation is implemented through a community service program (pengmas) held by the Department of Oral Medicine (IPM) and the Department of Preventive and Public Health (IKGMP) FKG UI. The program was implemented at the Santi Rama Deaf Junior High School (SMPLB), Cilandak, South Jakarta, on Thursday, August 28, and was attended by 28 deaf students.
This activity aims to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental and oral health in deaf children. The Kartu Ka Gi Ni innovation is strengthened by a visual approach, such as the use of images and videos accompanied by sign language.
The educational videos shown cover three main topics. First, the video “Mari Belajar SAMURI (Periksa Mulut Sendiri)” teaches children a simple way to do regular oral examinations. Second, the video “Mengenal Penyakit Mulut Sederhana” introduces students to diseases such as mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. Third, the video “Menjaga Kesehatan Gigi dan Mulut” explains the anatomy of the oral cavity, the differences between baby teeth and permanent teeth, and how to care for teeth and mouth effectively.
The Head of the FKG UI Community Service Team, drg. Masita Mandasari, Ph.D., Sp.P.M., Subsp. NonInf.,emphasized the importance of the continuity of this program. “Community service activities should ideally be carried out continuously at the Santi Rama Special School (SLB), so that they provide more significant benefits to improve knowledge and understanding and its application regarding dental and oral health,” she said.
In addition to education through videos and the Kartu Ka Gi Ni, the FKG UI community service team also carried out independent oral examination practice sessions or SAMURI, which were carried out in groups. Each group was accompanied by teaching staff and students from the Specialist Dentist Education Program to guide students in conducting simple oral examinations.
“By holding this community service activity, deaf students can increasingly understand the importance of maintaining oral health, can carry out simple oral examinations that can be done independently at home, and recognize signs of oral disease early on,” said drg. Masita.
This activity is part of FKG UI’s ongoing efforts to advance inclusive and adaptive health education. The collaboration between FKG UI and special schools, such as Santi Rama, shows a commitment to creating programs that can be accessed by all levels of society, especially groups with hearing disabilities.
