Offering Oral Health Services for HIDOE and Charter Commission Students
The 2015 Hawaii Smiles report documented that children in Hawaii have the highest prevalence of dental decay in the nation. In addition, more than 60% of children statewide did not have sealants on their permanent molars, increasing their risk for dental decay. Children with dental decay are known to miss more school days, have difficulty concentrating in school due to pain, and may also have difficulty eating and poor self-esteem compared to their peers without dental decay.
About the Hawaii Dental Service Partnership
In 2019, the Hawaii Keiki – Hawaii Dental Service (HDS) Dental Sealant Program was developed as a partnership between Hawaii Keiki (HK): Healthy and Ready to Learn and the HDS Foundation. In 2020, the program launched on Oahu and continues to expand with services now also offered in Maui, Kauai and Big Island.
Dental Sealant Program Goal
The goal of the Dental Sealant Program is to improve the oral and overall health of children by increasing the number of children who receive oral health assessments, education and dental sealants within designated HIDOE and Charter Commission schools.
Dental Sealant Services Offered
HK dental and nursing staff collaborate with the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE) and Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission (Charter Commission) to identify high-need public elementary schools, and work with school administrators to organize dental screening and sealant days.
Dental assessment and sealants are provided at no-cost to families and is supported by funds provided by HDS. Parents/guardians must provide written consent to participate in this no-cost program. The program is school-based with screening and sealant application provided at the school to minimize the loss of class time.
School-Based Oral Health Program Staff
The HK School-Based Oral Health Program is staffed by licensed dentists and dental hygienists. The dental team is supported by HK nurses and health techs to provide students with a dental screening followed by the application of dental sealants, as ordered by the dentist. All children receive individual oral health education, a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss.
Children in need of additional dental services will be referred to their dentist and/or a provider in their community if they do not have a designated dentist.
For a complete listing of the HK School-Based Oral Health Program staff visit: https://nursing.hawaii.edu/hawaii-keiki-department/dental-sealant/
Senior Practice Director & Dental Sealant Program Director
Hawaii Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn
Phone: (808) 956-8426
Email: dmattheus@ucera.org or mattheus@hawaii.edu
Oral Health Program Manager
Hawaii Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn
Cell: (808) 436-4969
Email: ghignite@ucera.org or hkdental@hawaii.edu
Hawaii Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn
2528 McCarthy Mall, Webster 402
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: (808) 956-8522
Email: hikeiki@hawaii.edu
Health Hotline (Toll Free): (844) 436-3888
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays & breaks