A community health education program conducted by Riadah,
Rikha Indriastanti, Arina Manasika, Dian Yuliana Saputri, Dulce dos Santos
Pinto Tilman, and Alfan Affandi from the Master’s Program in Public Health at
Universitas Ngudi Waluyo in 2025 significantly improved public knowledge of
oral and dental health at the Formoza Public Health Center in Dili,
Timor-Leste. The findings highlight the urgent need for preventive education as
oral diseases remain a widespread global health issue.
Oral and dental health is often overlooked, despite its
strong impact on overall well-being. Poor oral health can lead to pain,
difficulty eating, and reduced self-confidence. Globally, conditions such as
dental caries and gum disease remain highly prevalent, largely due to limited
public awareness and inadequate hygiene practices.
The program was carried out on December 17, 2025, involving
22 participants, including patients, pregnant women, and caregivers. The
activity used an interactive approach combining presentations, visual
materials, and live demonstrations. Participants learned about basic dental
anatomy, causes of tooth decay, prevention methods, and proper tooth-brushing
techniques using practical tools.
Program effectiveness was measured through pre-test and
post-test assessments. The results showed clear improvements:
- Participants with low knowledge decreased from 50% to 22.73%
- Moderate knowledge increased from 45.45% to 59.09%
- Good knowledge improved from 5% to 18.18%
Beyond knowledge gains, participants showed strong
engagement throughout the sessions. They actively asked questions, joined
discussions, and practiced correct brushing techniques. The combination of
visual explanation and hands-on practice proved more effective than theory
alone.
Riadah from Universitas Ngudi Waluyo emphasized that health
education plays a critical role in shaping behavior. According to her,
improving knowledge is the first step toward enabling communities to
independently maintain and improve their oral health.
The impact of this program extends beyond immediate learning
outcomes. It provides a practical model for preventive healthcare efforts,
especially in primary health settings. The findings suggest that continuous and
structured education is necessary, as some participants still showed limited
understanding after the session.
The study also highlights the importance of collaboration
between healthcare providers, educational institutions, and community health
centers to ensure long-term impact. Sustained education programs are expected
to foster lasting behavioral changes and reduce the burden of oral diseases.
Author Profile
- Riadah - Universitas Ngudi Waluyo
- Rikha Indriastanti- Universitas Ngudi Waluyo
- Arina Manasika- Universitas Ngudi Waluyo
- Dian Yuliana Saputri- Universitas Ngudi Waluyo
- Dulce dos Santos Pinto Tilman- Universitas Ngudi Waluyo
- Alfan Affandi- Universitas Ngudi Waluyo
Source
Riadah, Indriastanti, R., Manasika, A., Saputri, D. Y., Tilman, D. dos S. P.,
& Affandi, A. (2026). Oral and Dental Health Education at Formoza Public
Health Center, Dili, Timor-Leste. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bestari
(JPMB), Vol. 5 No. 3, 195–200.
DOI : https://doi.org/10.55927/jpmb.v5i3.2
URL : https://journaljpmb.my.id/index.php/jpmb
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