The elderly (61-80 years old) are vulnerable to disease, especially in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic. This condition is influenced by several things, such as: congenital diseases, weakened health, and decreased immunity in the elderly. These conditions make the elderly vulnerable to the coronavirus, compared to those who are younger.
With all the limitations due to age, the elderly need special treatment when visiting the hospital. For these elderly patients, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Indonesia (FD UI) launched a new service. Dean of FD UI, Prof. Dr. Lindawati S. Kusdhany introduced the Edelweis Unit at the UI Specialized Dental and Oral Hospital (Rumah Sakit Khusus Gigi dan Mulut, RSKGM), which is a dental and oral care service unit intended for geriatric patients or elderly patients with physical and psychological limitations.
To inform the public about the dental health conditions of the elderly, the Department of Prosthodontics FD UI in collaboration with the Indonesian Dental Association (Persatuan Dokter Gigi Indonesia, PDGI), South Jakarta Branch, and Al-Azhar Retirement Gathering Forum, held a community service activity. This activity is in the form of online counseling for Al-Azhar retired teachers with the theme “Improving the Quality of Life of the Elderly in the New Normal Era during the Covid 19 Pandemic”. On that occasion, the Edelweiss Unit was also introduced.
This activity was attended by 123 participants consisting of the elderly of the Al-Azhar Retirement Gathering Forum, members of the Indonesian Prosthodontia Association Jakarta, and attended by the Chairperson and Staff of the Department of Prosthodontia FD UI and several students from the Prosthodontia Specialist Dentist Education Program FD UI.
Chairman of the Department of Prosthodontics, Dr. drg. Ratna Sari Dewi expressed her hope that this event would be beneficial for the community service participants and the general public. “This activity is aimed at providing information to participants on how to maintain heart health in the face of limited activities during the pandemic. In addition, how to maintain dental, oral, and denture health, which greatly affects the quality of life of the elderly,” Ratna said.
drg. Dwi Harianto, Chairman of PDGI, South Jakarta Branch, who was present at the time said, “Community service activities are a form of dedication from dentists. Through this activity, it is hoped that the community can receive the benefits, as well as the dentists who carry it out.”
The counseling material in this activity was delivered by two resource persons, namely dr. Ardeno Kristianto, Sp.PD who presented a presentation entitled “Prevention of Heart and Vascular Disease in Activity Limitations during the Covid 19 Pandemic” and drg. Delicia (Prosthodonsia specialty program student class of 2020) with a presentation entitled “Maintenance of Oral Health in the Elderly during the Covid 19 Pandemic”.
