"Dental clinicians work in close proximity to patients and in various positions that could be considered risky in the sense of sexual harassment," said keynote speaker Dr. Paulus Januar of Moestopo University's School of Public Health and Dentistry.

Paulus said the purpose of the seminar was to create awareness of the need to protect female dentists from sexual harassment, considering that 75 percent of Indonesia's 17,000 dentists are women.

Of the 113 female dentists polled in the survey, 28 reported having been sexually harassed.

The survey also showed 20.4 percent of male patients sexually harassed their female dentists either verbally (9.7 percent), physically, by touching or trying to embrace (8 percent), and gesturing provocatively (7.1 percent).

Paulus stressed it was important to distinguish between sexual harassment and flirting.

"Sexual harassment includes any expression or behavior that is unwanted and sexually demeaning, often coercive, one-sided and which psychologically hurts the victim. Flirting, however, is reciprocal, flattering and often taken as a compliment," he said.

"When my female dentist colleagues hear this topic in discussion forums, they spontaneously tell their stories about being sexually harassed by their patients. Don't imagine these dentists wore sexy clothing -- even one with a Muslim headscarf was sexually harassed."

Paulus also pointed out women in other occupations, ranging from professional to unskilled, also experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

He said harassed dentists often remained passive, with only some reprimanding their patients. No lawsuit has ever been brought by a female dentist against her harasser.

Nur Herawati, coordinator of legal services for the Women's Legal Aid Foundation (LBH APIK), said women's awareness of their legal rights to protection from sexual harassment remained low.

"The women being sexually harassed in work places are reluctant to report it because they are too embarrassed and regard the harassment as a stigma. The community at large is still unsupportive of the victims, who instead become targets for mockery," she said.

Under Article 294 of the Criminal Code on obscene behavior, those guilty of harassment can face up to seven years in prison.

"The best way to prevent the sexual harassment of female dentists is to ensure they are never alone with their patients, or the examination room door is open, or there is a surveillance camera in place," she said.

She added these precautions would not only reduce the incidence of sexual harassment, but would also provide witnesses and other proof of wrongdoing. (pmf)

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