Smiles With Aloha

The chambered nautilus shell signifies growth, expansion and renewal. It's the perfect symbol for the Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association as we strive to promote excellence in oral healthcare. Welcome to our website!

June is Men's Health Month

Awareness, Education, Prevention...especially for guys

Meet the HDHA President
Ellie Kelley-Miyashiro, RDH, BS, became the 2012-2013 President of the Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association on November 4, 2012. Ellie is looking forward to representing her colleagues and working towards improving oral health in Hawaii.

Congratulations UH DH Grads!!!

Fourteen new University of Hawaii graduates were recognized at a special ceremony on May 9.

With their enthusiasm and caring attitudes, they represent what's great about dental hygiene. Be sure to view more photos from the Recognition Ceremony in the Home page photo stream. Welcome to our new colleagues!

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SB343 - A bill was introduced in the 2013 legislative session that would have established a pilot program in Hawaii schools to place sealants on children's teeth. While HDHA did not introduce this bill, we supported it wholeheartedly with oral and written testimonies. The bill proceeded through all pertinent House and Senate committees, including the Finance Committee, that allocated $400,000 in funding for the program. However, the bill was killed in final conference. One Senator insisted on changing the language of the bill at the last minute to include direct supervision by a dentist, a stipulation that does not appear in Hawaii's statutes for dental hygienists performing preventive procedures in a public health setting. As a result, Hawaii will continue to receive a grade of "F" from the Pew Centers on the States and high rates of decay - some of the highest in the nation - will continue to plague Hawaii's children. The bill may be re-introduced in the 2014 legislative session so stay tuned. And be prepared to speak out for Hawaii's keiki!

As licensed oral healthcare professionals, dental hygienists strive to improve the health of the patients they serve, both orally and systemically. The roles of the dental hygienist include clinician, researcher, patient advocate, educator and more.

The Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association is the only organization in the state of Hawaii representing dental hygiene professionals. Most important, HDHA represents oral health issues that are vital to all the people of Hawaii. When considering oral healthcare issues, remember that dental hygienists are highly qualified, licensed professionals and that our goal is to provide safe and effective care for the people of Hawaii, from keiki to kupuna!

HDHA - Licensed Oral Healthcare Professionals

OUR MISSION:

To advance the art and science of dental hygiene by ensuring access to quality healthcare. To increase awareness of the cost-effective benefits of prevention through promoting the highest dental hygiene standards for education, licensure, practice and research.

Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association
PO Box 23313 Honolulu, HI 96823