Inclusive Dental Health Education: A Quantum Learning Approach Through the My'dentde Project for Mentally Impaired Children

The high rate of dental caries in Indonesia, including in children with special needs, is a big challenge in the field of dental health. Children with intellectual disabilities, as a special group, need a different learning approach so that health messages can be more easily understood and applied. Responding to this need, the Indonesian Muslim University Faculty of Dentistry Service Team (FKG UMI) held community service activities with the theme "Inclusive Dental Health Education: Quantum Learning Approach through My DentDe Project for Mentally Impaired Children".

This activity took place at SLB Negeri 1 Makassar on Friday, September 26 2025, carried out through funding support from the UMI Waqf Foundation – LPkM UMI with a superior scheme. This is clear evidence of the university's commitment to encouraging innovative, impactful and sustainable community service programs.

The activity was chaired by Drg. Sari Aldilawati, M.Kes., FICD is designed with an inclusive and interactive approach so that it is more easily accepted by children with special needs, especially the mentally retarded. The series of events includes Training of Trainers (ToT) for teachers and student parent representatives, dental and oral health checks, as well as fun education through the My DentDe Project game.

The essence of this activity is to build a comprehensive understanding of the importance of dental health from an early age, by involving three main parties: teachers as educators at school, parents as the main companions at home, and children as subjects who experience direct benefits. With a quantum learning approach, the educational process is designed to be not only informative, but also fun and meaningful, so that dental health messages can be more easily understood and remembered.

The interactive game My DentDe is an effective medium in introducing the correct way to brush teeth to students with intellectual disabilities. This activity not only provides a fun learning experience, but also improves children's motor skills and independence in maintaining their dental hygiene.

Meanwhile, Deputy Principal for Student Affairs at SLB Negeri 1 Makassar, Dr. Muhammad Nur, S.Pd., M.Pd., expressed his appreciation for this activity. He emphasized that this kind of program is really needed to support students' holistic development, especially in terms of health. "We welcome this program positively, because it is very relevant to the needs of our students. The education provided is not only beneficial for children, but also provides valuable provisions for teachers and parents," he said.

By holding this activity, the UMI FKG Service Team hopes to foster higher awareness and concern for dental and oral health in children with special needs. Apart from that, this program is a real form of synergy between the academic world and society in supporting the health and quality of life of the younger generation. Through this activity, the UMI FKG Service Team emphasized its role as an academic institution that cares about public health, while also showing how collaboration can provide real solutions to improve the quality of life for special children.