4 in 10 Indonesian Schoolchildren Suffer from Tooth Decay
Dental health issues remain prevalent among Indonesian children. The Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) has recorded that 41% of schoolchildren undergoing the Free Health Check-up (CKG) programme suffer from caries, or tooth decay.
This means approximately four out of every ten schoolchildren examined during the CKG programme were found to have dental problems. Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono stated that caries is the most common dental health issue identified during these school-based examinations.
“The good news is that dental examinations are one of the government’s priorities within the Free Health Check-up programme. However, the less positive news is that, based on the CKG results for schoolchildren, caries is actually the most frequently detected issue. We recorded that 41% of the schoolchildren examined experienced dental caries,” said Dante during the kick-off of the 2026 National Dental Health Month (BKGN) at SDN Menteng 01, Jakarta, according to a press release on Friday (18/09/2026).
One solution involves conducting routine dental check-ups every six months. These examinations must be accompanied by daily habits to maintain oral and dental hygiene.
“The most appropriate dental health intervention is through promotion and prevention, rather than waiting for pain to occur before treating it. Schools are key because they house school health units (UKS), junior doctors, scouts, and various activities that can be utilised to build healthy habits,” he added.
Beyond routine check-ups, the Ministry of Health reminds children to brush their teeth at the correct times, specifically after breakfast and before bedtime. These habits need to be established during school years so they become part of a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.
Schools are also considered to play a vital role in teaching simple dental care, ranging from correct brushing techniques and choosing tooth-friendly foods to using fluoride toothpaste.
Dante even encouraged students to participate as “cavity detectives” to help recognise signs of dental health problems among their peers.
Efforts to maintain children’s dental health are also a focus of the 2026 National Dental Health Month (BKGN). This year, the BKGN theme is “Strong Teeth, Healthy Smile, Great Indonesia,” with the sub-theme “Examine, Follow Up, Maintain Dental and Oral Health.”
The Vice Chairperson of the Indonesian Dental Association (PB PDGI), Tari Tritarayati, stated that efforts to maintain dental health should not end with examinations.
“We want to strengthen promotional and preventive efforts so that concern for dental health does not stop at the examination stage, but continues with treatment and the maintenance of dental hygiene habits,” said Tari.