<![CDATA[ABSTRAK Masalah kesehatan gigi dan mulut yang disertai dengan meningkatnya kejadian penyakit infeksi masih menjadi tantangan kesehatan di tingkat komunitas. Kader posyandu lansia berperan strategis sebagai ujung tombak dalam upaya promosi kesehatan, namun keterbatasan pengetahuan dan keterampilan sering membatasi optimalisasi peran tersebut. Program pengabdian masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kapasitas kader posyandu lansia melalui penguatan pengetahuan dan keterampilan dalam upaya pencegahan penyebaran penyakit infeksi melalui rongga mulut. Pengabdian masyarakat ini dilaksanakan dengan pendekatan pemberdayaan masyarakat melalui metode ceramah, pelatihan, praktik keterampilan, serta pendampingan. Evaluasi dilakukan menggunakan pre-test dan post-test untuk mengukur perubahan tingkat pengetahuan kader, dengan analisis statistik menggunakan uji Wilcoxon Signed Rank. Hasil program pengabdian masyarakat ini menunjukkan peningkatan rata-rata skor pengetahuan kader mengenai metode kontrol infeksi dari 60% menjadi 85%, serta peningkatan pengetahuan terkait penyakit infeksi di rongga mulut dari 74% menjadi 84%. Hasil uji Wilcoxon menunjukkan adanya perbedaan yang signifikan antara skor pengetahuan sebelum dan sesudah pelatihan (p = 0,026). Pemberdayaan kader posyandu lansia melalui edukasi dan pelatihan terbukti efektif dalam meningkatkan pengetahuan kader terkait pencegahan penularan infeksi melalui rongga mulut dan berpotensi memperkuat peran kader dalam mendukung upaya promosi dan pencegahan kesehatan di masyarakat. Kata Kunci: Kader Posyandu Lansia, Penyakit Infeksi Di Rongga Mulut, Pencegahan Penularan Infeksi, Kesehatan Gigi Dan Mulut, Edukasi Pencegahan Penyakit Infeksi di Rongga Mulut. ABSTRACT Oral and dental health problems, accompanied by the increasing incidence of infectious diseases, remain a major public health challenge at the community level. Elderly integrated health service post (posyandu lansia) cadres play a strategic role as front-line agents in health promotion efforts; however, limited knowledge and skills often hinder the optimization of their role. This community service program aimed to enhance the capacity of elderly posyandu cadres by strengthening their knowledge and skills in preventing the transmission of infectious diseases through the oral cavity. This community service program was conducted using a community empowerment approach through lectures, training sessions, practical skill exercises, and mentoring activities. Evaluation was carried out using pre-test and post-test assessments to measure changes in the cadres’ level of knowledge. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. The results of this community service program demonstrated an increase in the average knowledge score of cadres regarding infection control methods from 60% to 85%, as well as an improvement in knowledge related to infectious diseases in the oral cavity from 74% to 84%. The Wilcoxon test revealed a statistically significant difference between knowledge scores before and after the training (p = 0.026). The empowerment of elderly posyandu cadres through education and training was proven effective in improving cadres’ knowledge regarding the prevention of infectious disease transmission through the oral cavity and has the potential to strengthen their role in supporting community-based health promotion and disease prevention efforts. Keywords: Elderly Health Post Cadres, Oral Infectious Diseases, Infection Transmission Preventio, Oral And Dental Health, Oral Infection Prevention Education.]]>
