Dental Services at KKV were established in 1973, when Dr. Ron Carlson volunteered his dentistry skills for Kokua Kalihi Valley. Since the early 1980s, the program has grown into a full-time Dental Clinic. With a current staff of 8 dentists, 1 dental hyginists, 8 dental assistants, and 2 receptionist/dental assistants, Dr. Jason Hiramoto is the current Director. Kokua Kalihi Valley is one of the few dental clinics in the country that provided professional education opportunities through dental residency.    

       Our dental staff speak many of the Asian and Pacific Island languages of our clients including Burmese, Chinese, Ilocano, Japanese, Laotian, Micronesian, Samoan, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese and Visayan. 

The primary goal of the Dental Program is to bring treatment and preventative services to the residents of Kalihi Valley.

       KKV's Dental Clinic is able to address immediate dental needs, including severe cases and emergencies. Services provide include teeth cleaning, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns, bridges, and dentures. The clinic is has made community education a key focus by providing clients counsel and education on preventive hygiene and regular dental care to avert further problems. 

       In 1995 KKV began a free Dental Sealant Program at a number of local elementary schools (Fern, Kalihi-Waena, Kalihi Uka, Kalihi, Linapuni) and Intermediate School (Dole.) During the school term 2005-2006, more than 3,000 school children were screened and 6,000 sealants were placed. Dental sealants are among the most efficient, effective, and cost-effective approaches to preventive health and are key to preventing dental disease, which is a major health problem in Kalihi Valley.  For this program, dental staff set up shop in the schools using portable dental chairs and equipment.  Teachers secure parental permission and then gathered the children on campus for dental sealants, education, screening, and referrals.  The program has proved to be an efficient way to screen Kalihi Valley children in order to better meet their needs.

                The Dental Clinic is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on the upper floor of KKV's Main Clinic at 2239 North School Street, Honolulu. For more information, please call 791-9428.