<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Dental caries is one of the most common dental health problems, especially among the elderly, caused by the activity of caries bacteria which produce acids that damage tooth enamel. This study aimed to examine the inhibitory effect of eucalyptus leaf extract (Melaleuca leucadendra) on the growth of bacteria that cause dental caries. A Quasi-experimental method with a Pre-post test control group design. The sample used was Streptococcus mutans bacteria obtained from dental plaque of elderly residents at the Harapan Sentosa 1 Social Institution in Cengkareng. The antibacterial activity was tested using the disc diffusion method with various concentrations of eucalyptus leaf extract (5%, 10%, 15%, 30%, 70%, and 95%). The inhibition zones formed were measured to determine the antibacterial effectiveness of the extract. Eucalyptus leaf extract has an inhibitory effect on the growth of caries bactery, with moderate to very strong inhibition categories depending on the extract concentration. The 70% concentrations showed the largest inhibition zones compared to other concentrations. The Wilcoxon test showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between before and after in various concentrations of the extract in inhibiting bacterial growth.Conclusion : Eucalyptus leaf extract has effective in inhibiting the growth of caries-causing bacteria in the elderly, especially at higher concentrations. This study is expected to serve as a basis for the development of natural products for the prevention of dental caries in the elderly. Keywords: Eucalyptus Leaf Extract, Dental Caries, Antibacterial Activity, Elderly ABSTRAK Karies gigi merupakan salah satu masalah kesehatan gigi yang umum terjadi, terutama pada lansia, akibat aktivitas bakteri karies yang menghasilkan asam dan merusak enamel gigi. Untuk menguji daya hambat ekstrak daun kayu putih (Melaleuca leucadendra) terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri penyebab karies gigi. Penelitin Quasi-experiment dengan desain Pre-post test control group design. Sampel yang digunakan adalah bakteri Streptococcus mutans yang diperoleh dari plak gigi lansia di Panti Sosial Bina Laras Harapan Sentosa 1 Cengkareng. Uji daya hambat dilakukan menggunakan metode difusi cakram dengan berbagai konsentrasi ekstrak daun kayu putih (5%, 10%, 15%, 30%, 70%, dan 95%). Zona hambat yang terbentuk diukur untuk menentukan efektivitas antibakteri ekstrak tersebut. Ekstrak daun kayu putih memiliki daya hambat terhadap pertumbuhan bakteri karies, dengan kategori daya hambat sedang hingga kategori kuat, tergantung pada konsentrasi ekstrak yang digunakan. Konsentrasi 70% menunjukkan zona hambat terbesar dibandingkan konsentrasi lainnya. Uji Wilcoxon menunjukkan perbedaan signifikan (p<0,05) antara sebelum dan sesudah dalam berbagai konsentrasi ekstrak dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri. Ekstrak daun kayu putih efektif dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri penyebab karies gigi pada lansia, terutama pada konsentrasi 70%. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat menjadi dasar bagi pengembangan produk alami untuk pencegahan karies gigi pada lansia. Kata Kunci : Ekstrak Daun Kayu Putih, Streptococcus Mutans, Karies Gigi, Daya Hambat, Lansia]]>
