Knowledge, Attitudes, and Actions of Dental Professional Students at RSGMP FKG UPDM (B) about Earthquake Preparedness

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FORMOSA NEWS - Jakarta - Majority of Dental Professional Students at RSGMP FKG UPDM (B) Demonstrates Strong Earthquake Preparedness. Dental professional students at the Dental and Oral Hospital of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Prof. Dr. Moestopo (Beragama) (RSGMP FKG UPDM (B)), demonstrate strong overall knowledge and positive attitudes toward earthquake preparedness, according to a study published in July 2026 by researchers Irma Binarti and Edia Zulfa Nurul Izzah from Universitas Prof. Dr. Moestopo (Beragama). The findings highlight the critical role of emergency preparedness training in medical and dental education, where healthcare providers must act swiftly to protect both themselves and their patients during seismic disasters.

The Critical Need for Disaster Readiness in Healthcare Facilities

Indonesia is located at the intersection of three major tectonic plates the Eurasian, Pacific, and Indo-Australian plates making it one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Earthquakes occur suddenly and inflict severe structural damage, economic disruption, and loss of human life. Within healthcare facilities such as educational dental hospitals, emergency preparedness is paramount. Hospitals must maintain operational capacity during and immediately following natural disasters. Healthcare personnel who panic or hesitate during an emergency risk delaying evacuation procedures, thereby increasing morbidity and mortality among patients. Dental professional students working in clinical environments face unique responsibilities: they must manage clinical dental treatments while remaining prepared to execute emergency response procedures. Instilling disaster preparedness early in professional medical education ensures that future clinicians react calmly and effectively during sudden geological crises.

Research Methodology
Researchers Irma Binarti and Edia Zulfa Nurul Izzah conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study evaluating dental professional students enrolled during the 2021–2022 academic year at RSGMP FKG UPDM (B). The study sampled 192 dental professional students selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data collection was carried out via a structured digital questionnaire distributed through communication applications. The assessment tool evaluated three core parameters:

• Knowledge: Evaluated understanding of earthquake characteristics, geological risks, protective actions, and official information sources.
  
• Attitudes: Measured perceptions regarding safety protocols, disaster planning, and training needs.
  
• Actions: Assessed practical behaviors during earthquake events, evacuation procedures, and simulation participation.
  

The collected data were processed using computer-based statistical software to establish percentage distributions across good, fair, and poor performance levels.

Key Research Findings
The empirical results show that the majority of dental professional students at Universitas Prof. Dr. Moestopo (Beragama) possess solid knowledge and highly favorable attitudes regarding earthquake safety:

• Knowledge Levels: A majority of respondents (59.9%) exhibited a good level of knowledge regarding earthquake preparedness, while 39.6% showed fair knowledge, and 0.5% demonstrated poor knowledge. Notably, 99.5% of students correctly identified the head and neck as the most critical body parts to protect during seismic shaking.
  
• Attitudinal Preparedness: An overwhelming 95.8% of participants demonstrated a positive attitude toward disaster preparedness. Neutral attitudes were recorded at 2.6%, and negative attitudes stood at 1.6%. Furthermore, 60.9% of students strongly agreed that regular earthquake training is necessary to prevent major losses.
  
• Practical Action: In terms of action readiness, 52.1% of respondents were classified as prepared, 42.7% as moderately prepared, and 5.2% as poorly prepared. A significant 97.9% reported remaining outdoors for several minutes post-earthquake to anticipate aftershocks, and 94.8% correctly identified emergency stairs as the proper evacuation route in high-rise structures.
  

Despite these positive metrics, the survey revealed a notable gap in practical execution: 57.8% of the surveyed dental professional students had not participated in an earthquake simulation at RSGMP FKG UPDM (B) over the preceding year.

Real-World Impact and Institutional Implications
The study highlights actionable steps for healthcare administrators, academic institutions, and disaster management policymakers. To bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical execution, dental hospitals and educational faculties must formalize disaster management within the curriculum. The researchers recommend that RSGMP FKG UPDM (B) conduct mandatory, routine disaster drills and simulations at least once a year. Involving all dental professional students in clear emergency action plans ensures coordinated evacuation, immediate patient safety, and minimal structural casualties when seismic events occur.

Author Profiles
Irma Binarti, S.KG., drg., Sp.KGA. is a lecturer and researcher at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Prof. Dr. Moestopo (Beragama), Jakarta, specializing in Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health.
Edia Zulfa Nurul Izzah is a researcher and academic affiliate at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Prof. Dr. Moestopo (Beragama), Jakarta.

Source
Irma Binarti, Edia Zulfa Nurul Izzah. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Actions of Dental Professional Students at RSGMP FKG UPDM (B) about Earthquake Preparedness. Formosa Journal of Sustainable Research (FJSR). Vol. 5, No. 7, Halaman 565-584.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/fjsr.v5i7.55
URL : https://journalfjsr.my.id/index.php/fjsr