Depok, August 18th 2023. Adolescence is a transitional phase from childhood to adulthood and is an important period in human development. This is characterized by neurobiological, hormonal, psychological, and social changes. These changes can trigger psychosocial stress in adolescents. Generally, adolescents experience stress when they experience difficult, dangerous, or painful situations and they are unable to overcome them. The stress they experience can make them overwhelmed, anxious, withdrawn, aggressive, experience physical illness, and even lead to the use of illegal drugs.
Apart from that, stress can cause several diseases in the oral cavity, such as recurrent aphthous stomatitis, lichen planus, and burning mouth syndrome. These conditions can recur and will result in negative effects on quality of life.
Based on the conditions above, teenagers need to know about the stress they experience and the effects of stress on the body, especially on the oral cavity, which can affect their quality of life. Therefore, just like adults, it is important for teenagers to have skills in stress management.
For this reason, the Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) Universitas Indonesia (UI) in collaboration with Mandiri Amal Insani held a community service (pengmas) with the theme “Stress in Adolescents and Manifestations in the Oral Cavity”. This activity was carried out at SMP Negeri 126 Kramat Jati, East Jakarta.
Participants who took part in this activity consisted of students representing classes VII-IX, Student Council members, and teachers, with a total of 120 participants. Apart from students and teachers, the activity which took place on Tuesday (8/8) was attended by 16 lecturers and students of the Oral Disease Specialist Dentist Education Program (PPDGS) FKG UI.
This activity began with the presentation of material by Anindya Phalita Padma, M. Psi, Psychologist, on “Stress Management in Adolescents: Overcoming Challenges and Maintaining Mental Health”. Then, the activity continued with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to explore the problems experienced by teenagers. After that, the event was closed with a material presentation by Dr. drg. Febrina Rahmayanti, Sp. PM, SubSp. Inf (K) about the impact of stress, smoking and sexually transmitted infections on the oral cavity.
“This activity aims to provide knowledge to teenagers to better understand stress, how to manage stress, and be able to understand that stress can trigger disease in the body, including in the oral cavity. Apart from that, by holding this activity, it is hoped that teenagers will gain knowledge about the dangers of smoking and promiscuity, so that they can find solutions to avoid this,” said Dr. Drg. Febrina Rahmayanti, Sp. PM, SubSp. Inf (K), Chair of the Department of Oral Medicine, FKG UI.
According to the Dean of FKG UI, Dr. Drg. Nia Ayu Ismaniati, MDSc., Sp.Ort(K), FKG UI is committed to always being present in the community through various social activities, including community service. She appreciated the steps taken by the FKG UI Department of Oral Medicine by providing education to the public, especially teenagers.
This is in line with the government’s efforts through the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia to promote the importance of disease prevention through preventive education and earlier screening processes. This is done so that diseases can be detected early to improve the level of public health.
