For the first time, the Hawaiʻi Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn Program— a partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene and the State Department of Education—offered free dental services to Molokaʻi students through its Dental Sealant Events.
On April 8, a team of 9 Oʻahu– and Maui-based dentists, dental hygienists, assistants and nurses traveled to Maunaloa Elementary, Kilohana Elementary, Kaunakakai Elementary and Kualapuʻu Charter School to host Dental Sealant Events. Three Molokaʻi-based Hawaiʻi Keiki health technicians provided additional on-the-ground support.
About 110 students were seen, receiving dental screenings, oral health education, hygiene kits and, where needed, dental sealants, a protective treatment that helps prevent cavities.
Addressing Hawaiʻi’s oral health issues
Hawaiʻi faces significant oral health challenges. The 2015 Hawaiʻi Smiles report found that Hawaiʻi’s children had the highest rate of dental decay in the country, and more than 60% lacked sealants on their permanent molars—increasing their risk for cavities, missed school, and other health and self-esteem issues.
To combat these disparities, the Hawaiʻi Keiki–Dental Service (HDS) Dental Sealant Program was launched in 2019 through a partnership between Hawaiʻi Keiki and the HDS Foundation. Since launching on Oʻahu in 2020, the program has expanded to Maui, Kauaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island—and now to Molokaʻi. Maui and Molokaʻi school-based dental services are provided in partnership with Hui No Ke Ola Pono, a Maui Native Hawaiian Health Care System.
Commitment to rural underserved communities
So far, more than 5,500 keiki across Hawaiʻi have received screenings through the program. More than 60% received sealants, protecting more than 12,000 teeth. In addition, more than 220 keiki with urgent dental needs were referred for further care.
Deborah Mattheus, Hawaiʻi Keiki Senior Practice Director and Dental Sealant Program director, said “Hosting the screenings and sealants at school has proven to be an efficient way to provide healthcare to many students at once, reduce the time and money spent by individual families, and minimize the loss of class time. Today’s event is a great example of many partners coming together to provide important dental services to these Molokaʻi kids.”
Compassionate team of UH alumni, student providers
The Molokaʻi team was composed of licensed providers and Hawaiʻi Keiki staff, many of whom are UH alumni or current students from UH Mānoa, UH Maui College and the Maui-Molokaʻi CNA programs.
This latest effort was made possible by continued support from the HDS Foundation, along with in-kind donations from Kamaka Air Cargo, which transported dental equipment, and Maverick Helicopters, which offered discounted staff flights. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Family Health Division also helped fund dental supplies.
