Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi

Beneath the tropical Jakarta sun stands Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, a beacon of dental education in Indonesia. Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi, the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Indonesia, has a rich history interwoven with the nation’s own journey in oral healthcare. Established in 1960, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi emerged from a critical need. Indonesia faced a severe shortage of dentists, with a staggering ratio of one dentist for every 200,000 people. Initially, only two other dental schools existed in the entire country. These were FKG Unair and FKG UGM, graduating fewer than 35 dentists annually. Visionaries like Prof. Dr. Ouw Eng Liang recognized this dire situation. They championed the establishment of FKG UI. With just 71 students, the first class of Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi embarked on their dental journey. They faced numerous challenges. The faculty initially lacked its own facilities. Lectures were held in borrowed spaces at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Even a bicycle shed served as a makeshift lab for dental anatomy practice. Despite these humble beginnings, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi persevered. The faculty gradually acquired more space. First, a portion of the Public Library at Salemba 4. Then, in 1965, the entire library building. This allowed them to expand their dental clinics and student activities. Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi also established a public dental clinic at the UI Rector’s Office. This expanded access to oral healthcare for the community. Through the years, Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi has grown. The faculty has become a leading institution in dental education and research in Indonesia. Today, FKG UI offers various programs. These include bachelor’s, professional dentist, specialist, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The faculty’s eleven departments cover a wide range of dental specialties. From oral surgery and periodontics to children’s dentistry and dental radiology. Fakultas Kedokteran Gigi continues to shape the future of oral health in Indonesia.