<![CDATA[Oral and dental health is an essential part of general health because it can influence various systemic diseases. Debris and plaque are the main factors affecting oral hygiene. Based on a preliminary survey conducted among 40 students of the Medical Laboratory Technology Study Program at Poltekkes Kemenkes Kupang, 39 students (95%) had dental caries, and none of the respondents had routine dental check-ups. One natural effort that can help maintain oral hygiene is consuming fruits rich in fiber and water, such as lontar fruit (Borassus flabellifer L.). This study aimed to describe the debris and plaque scores before and after consuming lontar fruit among Medical Laboratory Technology students. This study used a descriptive observational design with a population of 360 students and a sample of 78 respondents selected using the Slovin formula and random sampling technique. Data were collected through direct examination of debris and plaque scores before and after consuming lontar fruit. The results showed that the average debris score decreased from 1.7 (moderate category) to 0.07 (good category), while the average plaque (PHP) score decreased from 3.2 (poor category) to 0.6 (good category). The study concluded that consuming lontar fruit could help reduce debris and plaque scores, thereby potentially improving oral and dental hygiene. The novelty of this study lies in the utilization of lontar fruit as a natural local food-based alternative for maintaining oral health and as a reference for the development of future research and dental health education in the field of health education.]]>
