Dental Therapy Study Program Hasanuddin University Conduct Research on Oral Health on Kodingareng Island
This initiative was prompted by the high prevalence of oral health issues, particularly among coastal communities, which is caused by various factors such as limited access to public health facilities, economic constraints, and low awareness of the importance of maintaining oral health as an integral aspect of overall physical health. These conditions have the potential to lead to a decline in the oral health status of the community.
This initiative serves as a tangible manifestation of the commitment of the Applied Bachelor’s Program in Dental Therapy at the Faculty of Vocational Studies, Hasanuddin University, to making academic and social contributions that benefit the community.
A study on the oral hygiene status of the coastal community of Kodingareng Island was conducted on June 30, 2025. This study aims to obtain an overview of the community’s oral hygiene status as a basis for developing more targeted dental health promotion and prevention programs in coastal areas. This research activity is an implementation of the 2025 Hasanuddin University Early-Career Faculty Research Grant (PDPU), chaired by Muh. Firdaus Tullah, S.Tr.Kes., M.Tr.TGM. The team includes members Firman, S.KM., M.KM., and Ainun Ayu Yuniar, S.Tr.Kes., M.Tr.TGM., and also involves students from the Dental Therapy program at Unhas.
Through this research, it is hoped that the project will not only provide direct benefits to the community by improving knowledge of oral health but also generate scientific data that can support the development of community-based health policies and interventions.