UNAIR NEWS – A team from the Faculty of Dental Medicine (FKG), Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), achieved a notable national milestone. Muhamad Farel Fachruzani, Esterilia Vanya Pratitasari, and Anastasia Mustika Sakraline won first place in the Dental Quiz Competition at IMUNITY 2026, organized by the Faculty of Dentistry, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta on Saturday,Feb 7, 2026. The team was guided by Dr. Anis Irmawati, drg., M.Kes., PBO.
In preparing for the competition, the team divided study responsibilities based on each member’s strengths from the beginning. Farel focused on foundational concepts and clinical basics, Anastasia specialized in oral biology as a preclinical subject, and Esterilia concentrated on advanced clinical topics. This division of roles enabled them to develop a thorough and systematic understanding of the material.
Strategy and decisive moments
The competition opened with a preliminary round consisting of 100 true-or-false questions, completed individually within one hour. The team advanced to the semifinals with a combined score of 223 and proceeded to the semifinal at FKG UMY. During the semifinal round, participants answered 10 short-answer questions individually in a public setting. Despite the high-pressure environment, the team achieved the second-highest score with 160 points, earning a place in the final round.
The final round included mandatory and buzzer sessions that tested both speed and accuracy in critical thinking. With a total score of 850, the FKG UNAIR team outperformed its competitors and secured the championship title. “We approached it like a regular exam and stayed focused on our own performance,” the team said.
Although much of their preparation was conducted independently due to the individual-based format, the team regularly held discussions to strengthen coordination and teamwork. The team identified periodontics as the most engaging subject because it requires quick diagnostic skills, while prosthodontics posed the greatest challenge due to the complexity of designing dental prostheses.
Keys to success and academic support
The team attributed their success to strong chemistry and a resilient competitive mindset, in addition to consistent study habits. Their cohesion allowed them to maintain focus throughout every stage of the competition.
Guidance from their mentor also played a significant role in their preparation. Dr. Anis Irmawati provided essential materials and practice questions, particularly in oral biology. Furthermore, the curriculum at FKG UNAIR, which aligns with national competency standards, helped the team perform with confidence and precision.
For the team, the victory was not only a measure of their academic competence but also an opportunity to represent FKG UNAIR with pride. “It is better to be tired from trying than to be tired from regret,” they said, encouraging fellow students to pursue similar opportunities.
Author: Dara Devinta Faradhilla
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
