The Founding Father

It seems that it is not an exaggeration to mention R. Goermilang Soeria Soemantri as the “pioneer” who has contributed a lot in developing the dental profession in Indonesia. In addition to the Faculty of Dentistry, Padjadjaran University, he also attended many other institutions, such as the Association of Indonesian Dentists (PDGI), Padjadjaran University (Unpad), Faculty of Medicine, University of Padjadjaran, Bandung City Dental Health Office, and the Foundation for the Development of Cleft Lips and Clefts. -Sky (YPPCBL).

Born in Ciamis on 18 May 1914, Soeria Soemantri graduated from STOVIT in Surabaya on 8 June 1936, then became a government dentist in Bandung. In 1950-1952 he led the Dental Medicine Office of West Java Province, and starting in 1952 he led the Bandung City Dental Medicine Service. In 1957 he was assigned to study at the School of Public Health, University of Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Soeria Soemantri was the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Padjadjaran University for 3 years from 1959 to 1961, then rose to the position of President of Padjadjaran University until 1964. Soeria Soemantri, who is a professor of Public Health Sciences, has many ideas. The results of his thoughts after being realized turned out to be very useful, such as the spiral system curriculum that integrates theory and practice, the Sick Fund which is now JPKM, the establishment of the Directorate of Dental Health, and the establishment of the Dental Health Office; Unfortunately, these two institutions were disbanded during the regional autonomy period.

In addition to being active in his profession, Soeria Soemantri is also one of the community leaders in the city of Bandung who has provided many services in the social field, so it is not surprising that his name is now immortalized as one of the names of streets in the city of Bandung. He is an active member of the Mukti Cultural Foundation, Kawaluyaan Foundation, Bandung Permai Association, Ade Irma Suryani Nasoetion Traffic Park Foundation, People's Dental Health Foundation, and in various other activities.

The first Administrative Office of the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Padjadjaran, was located in the garage of Major General's car. Prof. Dr. R. Moestopo, drg. on Jl. Cisangkuy No. 4 Bandung. In 1962 he moved to Jalan Dago so that the house in Cisangkuy could be used as a dean, administration, and library. Lecture rooms and laboratories where practicums are not owned at all, let alone a clinic where students practice work. As the first acting Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Padjadjaran University, R.G. Soeria Soemantri, drg., MPH., who at that time was still working at the Department of Dental Medicine in the Big City of Bandung. The dean's allowance is Rp. 200 per month, as Secretary I Colonel (CDG) R.M. Soelarko, drg. with an allowance of Rp. 100 per month, and Lieutenant Colonel (Titular) R. Adang Djajawiredja, drg. as Secretary II with an allowance of Rp. 100 per month; both are Army dentists. as well as assistance from the Central Government, the DT I Government of West Java Province, and assistance from the President.