Depok, 12 July 2025 — Oral and dental health is not just about having a beautiful smile; it also reflects overall physical well-being. Oral health issues among the elderly are becoming an increasingly critical concern, considering the rising life expectancy that contributes to a growing elderly population. According to the WHO, around 30% of older adults worldwide experience significant oral health problems, including periodontitis, tooth loss, and oral infections. This condition is also prevalent in Indonesia, where 27% of the elderly experience tooth loss and 35% suffer from periodontal disease, primarily due to poor oral hygiene habits and limited access to dental healthcare facilities.

One of the main health problems faced by the community at Sekolah Lansia Mekarjaya Bahagia is oral and dental issues such as cavities, gum inflammation, and bad breath. These conditions are caused by several factors, including a lack of awareness about the importance of oral health, financial constraints, and the shortage of dental healthcare providers focusing on elderly care in the area.

In response to this situation, and as part of the university’s Tri Dharma mission, the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Trisakti organized a community service program entitled “Education and Training on the Use of Tea Waste as an Eco-Friendly Alternative for Oral and Dental Health Maintenance”. The event was held on Saturday, 12 July 2025, at Sekolah Lansia Mekarjaya Bahagia, Mekarjaya Subdistrict, Sukmajaya, Depok. The activity was attended enthusiastically by 33 elderly participants, along with the school’s advisor, principal, homeroom teachers, and program facilitators.

The program began with educational sessions on maintaining oral health naturally, starting with an introduction to tooth structure, the causes and prevention of tooth decay, causes of periodontal tissue damage, and proper oral care practices (such as correct toothbrushing techniques and the use of dental floss). The session also explained the benefits of natural ingredients—particularly tea waste—for oral and dental health. It continued with hands-on training on how to make natural mouthwash using tea waste as an eco-friendly alternative for oral and dental care.

The community service program was led by drg. Dewi Ranggaini, S.K.G., M.K.G., FICD, with team members including drg. Luki Astuti, Sp.Perio; Dr. drg. Muhammad Ihsan Rizal, M.Kes; drg. Pretty Trisfilha, M.Biomed; drg. Johni Halim, M.K.G.; drg. Andrian Nova Fitri, Sp.PM; Emanuel Vania Saputro, S.K.G.; Gracia Anindya Dharma, S.K.G.; Immanuel Leon Wijaya, S.K.G.; drg. Pricillia Jeannette Arkhadia, M.K.G.; and Dwi Wahyu Margono.

This initiative not only promotes a healthy lifestyle through the use of natural ingredients for oral and dental care but also contributes to environmental solutions by reducing household organic waste. It aligns with the Green Healthy Life vision of Universitas Trisakti and the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) program. It is hoped that this activity will serve as an interactive educational model that can be further developed and implemented for the wider community.