In celebration of National Dental Health Month (BKGN) 2022, Unilever, through its Pepsodent brand, invited students from all member faculties of dentistry under AFDOKGI to participate in the PEPSODENT STUDENT AMBASSADOR (PSA) educational health competition.
The PSA program encouraged dental students to unleash their creativity by designing educational programs and supporting materials related to oral and dental health. The winners were awarded an opportunity to join the Teaching & Traveling initiative in collaboration with the 1000 Guru Foundation. Through this initiative, students directly delivered dental and oral health education to communities in three regions: Sumba Island, Rote Island, and Bangka Belitung.
Two dental profession students from Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Melly Ashna L. Tarigan and Sonia Mulyani Sinaga, were selected as Pepsodent Student Ambassadors. They participated in the Teaching & Traveling program in Sumba from February 22 to 28.
Teaching and Activities in Sumba
The teaching activities were conducted at SDN Inpres Walakiri, PAUD 1000 Guru, and SDN Inpres Papu. Various educational initiatives were carried out, including:
- Indoor Education: Using posters, flyers, and flashcards, students presented topics such as maintaining oral hygiene and identifying foods beneficial or harmful to dental health. The sessions engaged with the "Healthy Teeth Song" to reinforce learning, followed by a practical demonstration of proper brushing techniques using dental craft models distributed to each child.
- Interactive Games: Children participated in activities like the Sahabat Gigi Rubric, which illustrated the importance of regular dental visits and the consequences of neglecting oral health. Other games included the Dental Spinner, which depicted emotions tied to poor oral care, and the Healthy vs. Unhealthy Teeth Box, in which students sorted food and drink models into appropriate categories, with explanations provided afterward.
To measure the program’s impact, pre-tests were conducted with 4th to 6th-grade students before the educational sessions, and post-tests followed at the end. Additionally, students were given dental diaries to track their twice-daily brushing habits for 21 days, encouraging them to establish consistent routines. Teachers monitored and rewarded progress with stickers to motivate the children.
Outdoor Games and Final Activities
Students engaged in outdoor games such as the "Train Game," highlighting foods promoting healthy or unhealthy teeth. The program concluded with a group toothbrushing session, leaving the children energized and enthusiastic about their dental health.
The activities provided valuable oral health education and fostered joy and excitement among the children. The PSA program demonstrated how innovative and interactive approaches could impact community dental health awareness.