Reducing Oral Health Disparities for Keiki to Kupuna
Through community giving and workforce development, the HDS Foundation is advancing oral health in Hawai‘i by promoting oral health education and improving access to dental care for underserved populations.
When it comes to oral health, it’s important to practice healthy habits from a young age. That’s why the Hawaii Dental Service (HDS) Foundation urges parents to schedule their child’s first dentist appointment before their first birthday.
“Good oral health starts when we’re young,” explains Shere Saneishi-Kim, director of the HDS Foundation. “Practicing good oral health habits early can prevent many issues or detect problems early and sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.”
Photo: courtesy of Hawaii Dental Service
To spread this message, the HDS Foundation partners with pediatricians, hospitals, preschools and nonprofit organizations that serve young children to promote the ‘Dentist by One’ initiative. These partners assist in distributing oral health educational resources and referral sheets to help parents find a dentist for their children.
The HDS Foundation also works to overcome barriers to dental care, such as geographical limitations, busy schedules and lack of dental coverage. Through the ‘Seal Away Decay’ initiative, they partner with Hawaii Keiki: Healthy and Ready to Learn to bring dental professionals into schools to provide oral screenings and apply sealants that help to prevent cavities at no cost to the families.
Dr. Gavin Uchida, Dr. Anthony Kim, Dr. Van-Anh La, Dr. Mary Oneha, Dr. Diane Paloma, Shere Saneishi-Kim, Piilani Kai and Stephanie Liu-Antonio with a $500,000 check to the Waimanalo Health Center from Hawaii Dental Service Foundation. | Photo: courtesy of Hawaii Dental Service
Besides supporting Hawai‘i youth, the HDS Foundation also supports seniors. Its ‘Kupuna Smiles’ program addresses the oral health needs of seniors in long-term care facilities by offering hands-on oral health training for nurses. Dental hygienists provide tips and tools for daily oral care to help improve their residents’ oral health.
In addition to promoting oral health education and improving access to dental care, the HDS Foundation is dedicated to developing Hawai‘i’s dental workforce. To help alleviate the burden of college tuition, the HDS Foundation offers scholarships to Hawai‘i students pursuing careers in dentistry and dental hygiene. While the primary purpose of this scholarship program is to provide financial assistance, it also enables the HDS Foundation to build relationships with these future dental professionals and offer guidance as they establish their careers in Hawai‘i.
Photo: courtesy of Hawaii Dental Service
“It’s important to invest in Hawai‘i’s local talent and encourage them to practice in Hawai‘i,” Saneishi-Kim emphasizes. “There are gaps in communities without enough dental professionals. We hope to fill this need and help Hawai‘i families receive the dental care they need.”
To learn more about the HDS Foundation, please visit HDSFoundation.gives.
