MEDAN – USU PUBLIC RELATIONS: The Indonesian Prosthodontists Association (IPROSI) Medan Branch collaborated with the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (FKG USU), the Universitas Sumatera Utara Dental and Oral Hospital (RSGM USU), UJI Dental FKG USU, and the Indonesian Teachers Association (PGRI), to carry out a community service activity in the form of free denture fabrication, installation, and cleaning for teachers in North Sumatra, Sunday (8/2/2026). The activity took place in the courtyard of the Faculty of Dentistry USU Medan and was supported by PT Haleon Indonesia through its brand Polident as an industry partner.

The activity themed “Bring Back My Teacher’s Smile” was attended by 251 teachers from Medan City, Binjai City, and Deli Serdang Regency as well as surrounding areas, and successfully broke the Museum Rekor Dunia Indonesia (MURI) record in the health category with the record of “Most Denture Installations for Teachers.” The MURI record award was handed directly by MURI representative, Luthfi, to the Chair of IPROSI Medan Branch drg Ariyani, MDSc, Sp.Pros, Subsp.PKIKG (K), the Dean of FKG USU, the Director of RSGM, and the Brand Manager of PT Haleon-Polident at the peak of the event held within the FKG USU environment.

Present at the occasion were the Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Health Office H Muhammad Faisal Hasrimy, AP, M.AP, the Secretary of Universitas Sumatera Utara Prof Dr dr Muhammad Fidel Ganis Siregar, M.Ked (OG), Sp.OG (K), Subsp.FER, the Dean of FKG USU Dr drg Essie Octiara, Sp.KGA, Subsp.PKOA(K), the Director of RSGM USU drg Siti Salmiah, Sp.KGA, Subsp.KKA(K), FICD, the Brand Manager of Polident PT Haleon Indonesia Fahmi Fathurrahman, ST, M.Sc, the Chair of IPROSI Medan Branch drg Ariyani, MDSc, Sp.Pros, Subsp.PKIKG(K), representatives of PGRI North Sumatra Muriadi, S.Pd, SH, M.Pd, representatives of PDGI Regional Board of North Sumatra, the Committee Chair drg Ivana, Sp.Pros, the FKG USU Alumni Association, as well as hundreds of participating teachers and medical personnel.

A token of Appreciation for Teachers

The Chair of IPROSI Medan Branch, drg Ariyani, MDSc, Sp.Pros, Subsp.PKIKG(K), in her remarks stated that this activity is a tangible form of respect for teachers as the main pillars of the nation’s education.

“We believe this activity is not merely a health service, but a form of care and appreciation for teachers. Through this program, we hope teachers can smile again with greater confidence and comfort in carrying out their noble duties,” she said.

The “Bring Back My Teacher’s Smile” program began in November 2025 as part of the celebration of National Teachers’ Day, which falls on November 25, through oral health screenings in more than 25 schools. The oral impression stages were carried out on November 16, 2025 and December 21, 2025 at RSGM USU, followed by the laboratory process of denture fabrication by UJI Dental FKG USU.

Before the mass installation, a trial fitting stage was conducted by the team of dentists at RSGM USU to ensure the comfort and function of the dentures for the participants.

The denture installation on February 8, 2026 involved 220 operators, consisting of 33 prosthodontic specialists, 7 general dentists, 46 residents of the Specialist Dental Education Program of FKG USU, 134 clinical clerkship students, and 18 dental technicians from UJI Dental FKG USU. UJI Dental FKG USU itself is an academic support unit integrated with dental education and is currently developing toward becoming a modern dental laboratory business entity.

The Chair of IPROSI Medan Branch expressed appreciation to all parties involved, including the organizing team, medical personnel, students, dental technicians, leaders of FKG USU and RSGM USU, as well as PGRI and the participating teachers. IPROSI Medan Branch currently has 54 prosthodontist members in the Sumatra region and continues to strengthen its role in the tridharma of higher education through community service activities.

Through this program, teachers are expected to experience an improvement in quality of life, particularly in oral and dental health aspects, so they can feel more comfortable in communicating, teaching, and social interaction.

This activity also serves as a model of strategic collaboration between higher education institutions, professional organizations, industry, and teacher organizations in providing community health services with broad impact.

Collaboration for Community Care

Meanwhile, the Secretary of Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof Dr dr Muhammad Fidel Ganis Siregar, in his remarks said that this activity is not merely an ordinary health service, but a very proud moment. “We are witnessing how knowledge, social concern, and the spirit of collaboration unite to present an activity that provides real benefits to society,” he said.

This activity, Prof Fidel continued, also shows that universities are not only centers for knowledge development, but also centers of empathy, care, and service. This program reflects a shared commitment to improving public health standards, while continuing strategic synergy between higher education institutions, professional organizations, and the business sector. This is an implementation of the tridharma whose benefits are directly felt by the community.

“This shows a humanistic, progressive, and adaptive face of dental education toward community needs. USU is committed to producing health professionals who are not only academically excellent, but also possess social sensitivity, humanitarian concern, and high professional integrity. We appreciate IPROSI, PGRI, RSGM, FKG, and all parties who have contributed to making this activity a reality,” said Prof Fidel Ganis.

He stated that the role of teachers is very fundamental in building the quality of the nation’s generation. Teachers are not only educators, but also character builders, value instillers, and inspirers of the nation’s future. Therefore, attention to the health and welfare of educators is a long-term investment for societal progress.

In another part, the Head of the North Sumatra Provincial Health Office H Muhammad Faisal Hasrimy, AP, M.AP, expressed his appreciation for the collaboration that has been established in this activity. Representing the Governor of North Sumatra, he expressed gratitude for reducing the duties and burden of the government.

“We are very touched and proud of what USU has done through collaboration with various parties today. We hope that the collaboration built today will yield concrete results and can continue in other programs,” he concluded. (RJ)