Fourteen dental hygiene students from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 and 东精影业 Maui College received a combined $42,000 in scholarships from the Hawaiʻi Dental Service (HDS) Foundation, supporting the next generation of oral health professionals across the state.
“The HDS Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that communities across the state have healthy smiles. For HDS, part of this commitment means funding scholarships and other programs to support our local workforce,” said Diane Paloma, HDS president and CEO and 东精影业 Board of Regents member. “We hope that after graduation, these students will work in Hawaiʻi and serve the state that nurtured them.”
Seven 东精影业 Mānoa recipients were honored February 6 at the 东精影业 Mānoa Campus Center during a celebration attended by students and their ʻohana, university administrators, faculty and HDS executives. A separate event for the Maui scholarship recipients is also planned.
Each of the 14 students received $3,000 to support their education and clinical training.
The recipients are:
- 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补—Caitlin Raquel Baclay, Ari Bang, Maria Cabasag, Carly Koki-Tupuola, Kimberly Magsipoc, Natalie Morimoto and Shareena Lei Pascual
- 东精影业 Maui College—Samantha Buechler, Emmie-Lynn Campos, Geila Guzman, Joanna Javier, Samantha Oliveira Gasmen Goodman, Sarah Singh and Kaitlyn Yamada
“These scholarships provide more than financial assistance — they provide encouragement,” said Kristine Osada, dental hygiene program administrator at 东精影业 Mānoa. “Our students balance rigorous coursework and clinical training, and this support allows them to stay focused on becoming skilled, compassionate oral health professionals for Hawaiʻi.”
东精影业 Mānoa’s , offered through its (SONDH), is the only bachelor’s-level dental hygiene degree in the state and prepares students for national and regional licensure examinations. offers an , a cohort-based program emphasizing prevention, education and clinical practice. Both programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Related 东精影业 News story: High-quality, low-cost dental cleaning with training hygienists
Hands-on dental care for the community
The public can book appointments for student-led dental services at either campus clinic. There, students gain hands-on clinical experience under licensed faculty supervision. Learn more about the or the .