Fourteen dental hygiene students from the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 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 惭腻苍辞补—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 .

Three Molokaʻi women are proving that healthcare careers can start at home. Benevee Morris, Cherie Gonzalez and Olivia Pescaia all completed the through the , with tuition support from the federally funded . They now work in public schools across the island as health technicians for the , a partnership between 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (SONDH) and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education and Public Charter School Commission.

“Hawaiʻi Keiki has struggled to hire a nurse for the Molokaʻi position since I joined as Hawaiʻi Keiki senior practice director over five years ago,” said Deborah Mattheus, SONDH endowed professor of school health. “These three health technicians have filled that void and have been such a wonderful addition to our team. I am so proud of them.”

Family hardship leads to new purpose

Morris鈥� journey into healthcare began after her husband suffered a heart attack in 2010, followed by years of medical treatment and a heart transplant in California.

“As I supported him through this journey, I gained a deep appreciation for everything the nurses and doctors did for us,” she said. “Meeting traveling nurses sparked my interest in pursuing a career in healthcare.”

After his transplant in 2021, Morris applied for the CNA program while still in California. Despite challenges during the pandemic, she and her classmates pushed through.

“I鈥檓 proud to say that in August of 2022, 100% of our class passed, and 90% of us have used our skills to secure employment,” she said.

She started with the N膩 Puʻuwai Kupuna Program and T奴t奴 & Me before becoming the Hawaii Keiki health tech at Maunaloa Elementary School.

“It鈥檚 thrilling to support services like the Hawaiʻi Keiki dental sealant program,” Morris said. “Our island has faced challenges with dental coverage and a shortage of dentists.”

Morris hopes to bring programs such as CPR education and vision screenings to her school in the coming year.

“I鈥檓 committed to being an advocate for our keiki here on Molokaʻi and will support anyone interested in pursuing a career in healthcare.“

From caregiver to health tech

I鈥檓 committed to being an advocate for our keiki here on Molokaʻi and will support anyone interested in pursuing a career in healthcare
—Benevee Morris

Inspired by the experience of caring for both her parents through serious illnesses, Olivia Pescaia, a graduate of Molokaʻi High and Intermediate School, enrolled in the CNA program to pursue a career in healthcare.

“I dropped my first class because I was unsure of myself and we were figuring things out as we went along,” Pescala said.

However, she rejoined the second cohort and completed the program in June 2023. Now the health tech for Molokaʻi Middle School, Pescaia finds meaning in her work.

“It feels rewarding to give back and help in ways I never imagined I could,” she said. “Even in small ways, helping the keiki gives me a sense of accomplishment, purpose and connection to my community.“

A movie sparks a mission

Cherie Gonzalez鈥檚 decision to enter healthcare was inspired by a movie.

“The nurses in the nursing home were being horrible to the patients. I know it was a movie, but we all know that can actually happen in real life,” she said. “I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in nursing because of this.”

With a toddler at home, she joined the CNA program through cable TV instruction and in-person labs at Molokaʻi General Hospital. “The experience I gained through this program has never left me and I use it every day,” she said.

After working as a dental assistant at Molokaʻi General Hospital and as a medical assistant at Molokaʻi Community Health Center, she joined Hawaiʻi Keiki in 2021 and now serves at Kilohana Elementary School.

“It feels really good to be working in my community and with families I know personally,” she said. “Being able to make a difference with children in the school setting is great.”

Gonzalez encourages others to explore the field. “There鈥檚 so much more you can do in nursing. I would highly recommend the program,” she said.

For the first time, the 鈥� a partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 and the State Department of Education鈥攐ffered 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鈥檚 oral health issues

Hawaiʻi faces significant oral health challenges. The 2015 Hawaiʻi Smiles report found that Hawaiʻi鈥檚 children had the highest rate of dental decay in the country, and more than 60% lacked sealants on their permanent molars鈥攊ncreasing their risk for cavities, missed school, and other health and self-esteem issues.

To combat these disparities, the Hawaiʻi Keiki鈥揇ental 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鈥攁nd 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鈥檚 event is a great example of many partners coming together to provide important dental services to these Molokaʻi kids.”

Compassionate team of 东精影业 alumni, student providers

The Molokaʻi team was composed of licensed providers and Hawaiʻi Keiki staff, many of whom are 东精影业 alumni or current students from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, 东精影业 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鈥檚 Family Health Division also helped fund dental supplies.

.

Members of Maui鈥檚 Micronesian community took part in University of Hawaiʻi Maui College鈥檚 second annual Micronesian Dental Hygiene event held on October 12 on the college鈥檚 Kahului campus.

“The outreach brings many of the underserved and those without access to care into our clinic to make appointments for free dental hygiene care,” said Coordinator Leanne Higa. “Dental hygiene students did patient medical and dental histories, oral cancer screenings and made future appointments for 100 patients!”

The students learned the proper steps in oral cancer screening and it was valuable for them to put their training into practice with patients during this hands-on learning activity. Staff from the 东精影业 Maui College Campus Health Center were also on hand to provide free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Youlida Yourow from Voices of Micronesia of Maui (VoMOM) said she could not stop thinking about the event because it was so nice to see the connection with the Marshallese community and to build good relationships with all the participating organizations.

“The Micronesian people now see the 东精影业 Maui College Dental Hygiene program as people who welcome them and treat them as family.”
— Youlida Yourow

“The Micronesian people now see the 东精影业 Maui College Dental Hygiene program as people who welcome them and treat them as family,” Yourow said. “It all starts with the children in the Micronesian community. They need to know the value of oral health and how it is connected to whole body health.”

We Are Oceania (WAO) wants to continue the connection to 东精影业 Maui College, to pool resources and keep coming to Maui from Oʻahu to participate in future events because they see the leadership of strong people who dedicate themselves to helping everyone including the Micronesian community.

Yourow is grateful for the service to her community.

“We are so thankful for everything you do for our Micronesian community. We really need the help and it is good to see the students involved,” Yourow said.

A Freeman Grant—dedicated to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the U.S. and the Oceanian realm—funded the distribution of fresh produce, jars of jams and jellies, and free cell phones for participants.

The event was supported by the 东精影业 Maui College Campus Health Center, Dental Hygiene Program students, as well as volunteers from the Dental Hygiene Program faculty, VoMOM, Maui Economic Opportunity, Roots Reborn, WAO, oral cancer trainer Susan Cotten from Colorado and many local churches.

Hawaiʻi Gov. Josh Green recognized National School Nurse Day on May 8, 2024. In a ceremony on May 10, Green presented the proclamation to the , University of Hawaiʻi 惭腻苍辞补 (NAWSON), the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE) and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health鈥檚 Public Health Nursing Branch. Hawaiʻi Keiki, the state鈥檚 largest school nursing program with more than 50 school nurses in public schools, is a collaboration between NAWSON and HIDOE.

School nurses in Hawaiʻi play a vital role in providing essential healthcare services to students, especially in underserved areas. Acting as the primary healthcare providers on campus, they offer crucial medical support to those without insurance or limited access to healthcare facilities. This ensures that students receive timely care and support for their physical, emotional and psychological well-being.

“Hawaiʻi Keiki nurses are truly making a difference in the lives of our students,” said Deborah Mattheus, senior practice director for Hawaiʻi Keiki and NAWSON professor. “Our nurses are literally saving lives. They respond to urgent healthcare emergencies, connect students to medical homes and critical support services, and provide health education to the entire school community. I am so proud of all of our nurses and the entire Hawaiʻi Keiki team for the amazing care and aloha they devote to their work. This National School Nurses Day is also very special for our program because we will be celebrating 10 years of our program this upcoming fall.”

Program beginnings, expansion

In 2014, Hawaiʻi Keiki began with four nurses at Title I schools across Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi. Because of its positive impact, the program quickly grew to include 15 nurse practitioners, each serving a HIDOE complex area. Amid the pandemic in 2020, Hawaiʻi Keiki played a crucial role in providing health resources and COVID-19 testing in collaboration with various partners. They introduced innovative services like a health hotline and telehealth visits, which proved successful and were integrated into the program’s core services, notably benefiting students in rural areas.

The pandemic underscored the vital role of school nurses, leading to a significant expansion of the Hawaiʻi Keiki program from 2020 to 2022. With more than 55 nurse practitioners and registered nurses now employed, student visits to Hawaiʻi Keiki clinics soared from 8,188 to 126,994, marking a 1,451% increase from the 2019–20 to 2022–23 school years. Of these visits, 75% of these students returned to class after their visits. Additionally, in 2022, Hawaiʻi Keiki extended its services to select public charter schools through on-site and telehealth nursing services.

Hazel-lyn Jarquio is dedicated to making a tangible impact in her community, one dental care lesson at a time. On the cusp of earning her (DNP) degree at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 this spring, Jarquio鈥檚 passion for pediatric health and her commitment to serving her community converge in her DNP project, an aimed at addressing the prevalence of cavities among young children in Hawaiʻi.

“Cavities are the most common early childhood disease in the United States, and Hawaiʻi is no exception,” Jarquio explained. “About 60% of Hawaiʻi Head Start children between 3 and 5 years old have already experienced cavities.”

is a federally funded program that delivers services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. Jarquio collaborated with the program and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 nursing and dental hygiene faculty. Together they developed an easy-to-follow handout and video that is being shown and used by students, parents and teachers throughout the state. The short video features friendly animated characters “Dr. Kai” and “Samual,” who break down the importance of oral health and provide useful tips and food choices to prevent cavities.

Check out more stories of our 东精影业 spring graduates

“I believe that in order to improve the oral health of our keiki, I need to start by educating the children and educating families about how cavities are made, how we can practice cavity prevention, and just going over appropriate snack choices to avoid cavities,” Jarquio said. “The materials were designed to resonate with families and educators of Hawaiʻi Head Start.”

“Hazel鈥檚 project is a perfect example of how evidence-based education can be translated into a cute informative video that local families and kids will appreciate,” said Deborah Mattheus, Jarquio鈥檚 academic advisor and nursing professor at the (NAWSON). Mattheus is also the senior practice director for the that provides school nursing services to all Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) public schools and a few select public charter schools. “Hazel鈥檚 oral health video and flyer were so well received by Head Start Hawaiʻi, that we requested and received approval to distribute her materials to all HIDOE elementary schools next fall. Hazel鈥檚 DNP project will reach and educate thousands of keiki across the islands.”

Bridging dreams with reality

Jarquio has always had aspirations of becoming a nurse, which she steadfastly pursued. Her DNP will be her third degree from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in in 2019. She later enrolled into the at NAWSON, earning her bachelor of science in nursing in 2021, before embarking on her DNP program.

“Becoming a nurse practitioner has always been the end goal for my career,” she said. “I wanted to challenge myself and take things to the next level by applying research and investigation skills in practice.”

Now, as she inches closer to completing her DNP, Jarquio reflects on her journey with pride. She hopes to stay and practice in Hawaiʻi, caring for the pediatric and/or the young adult population.

—by Arlene Abiang

Dawn Hillary Oka, a 2018 graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, was crowned the 2023 Mrs. Hawaii United States in August and competed in the Mrs. United States National Pageant in Memphis, Tennessee, in October, placing as first runner up. Oka, a registered dental hygienist working with the , earned her BS in and a minor in sociology in 2018.

During the national competition, which she described as “surreal,” Oka took home awards for Best Swimsuit and Best Evening Gown. Her personal platform, “Smiles for All,” focuses on tackling the problems of oral health through education and awareness to prevent systemic diseases, such as hypertension and heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, arthritis and more.

“It was an honor to be able to not just represent our state, but our dental community also!” said Oka. “Being in the dental field for nearly a decade now, I’ve seen first-hand that there is a local and nation-wide lack of accessible resources and knowledge outside of the dental office setting. By bringing something as simple as awareness and education to the table for both local and national competitions, I hope to make a difference one healthy smile at a time!”

Impactful childhood visits to the dentist

Oka, a Pearl City High School graduate, admits to always enjoying her visits to the dentist since childhood and hopes she can have that same impact on the children she serves through the Hawaiʻi Keiki Program. A partnership between the (NAWSON) and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, the program provides public school students throughout the state with access to no-cost nursing and dental hygiene services.

“I enjoy working for Hawaiʻi Keiki because I always enjoyed working with children. I feel like kids have that gift of teaching you something new everyday, whether it be about their trending current events or something within yourself,” said Oka, who travels to different schools on Oʻahu to see her patients.

In addition to helping public school keiki with their oral health, Oka works alongside her husband, a dentist who has his own practice in Kahala.

Oka said she feels fortunate to do what she does and credits her dental hygiene faculty at the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 department of dental hygiene who challenged her to be the best professional she can be in her chosen career.

“I don’t think I’d still be so passionate about this field as I am now,” she said. “The one thing I’ll always hold on to and share with others is that life and your career is what you make of it; don’t be afraid to take the risk in being different and stepping out of comfort, especially if there’s a potential for growth.”

Spreading knowledge and aloha

As Mrs. Hawaii United States, Oka participates in various volunteer service activities around the island. She will continue to advocate for her platform in the community by facilitating collaborations between local dental hygienists and other healthcare providers to highlight the importance of oral health in treating the individual body as a whole, rather than different parts.

“I want to actively serve the younger generation, with hopes to implement a program where oral health education can be brought into school curriculums,” said Oka. “This is what I驶m passionate about and I驶m grateful the United States National Pageant is providing me with the platform to serve my community.”

—by Arlene Abiang

In recognition of Dental Hygiene Month, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 is reminding the community of its various dental cleaning and preventive services, provided by undergraduate students in the Department of Dental Hygiene under the instruction of licensed dentist and dental hygienist faculty with the .

Call (808) 956-8229 for more information or to make an appointment

As part of the teaching-learning process, the program provides services to patients throughout the academic year, from mid-September to mid-December in the fall, and January through April in the spring, on an appointment basis. About 1,800–2,400 patients are seen every year at the Dental Hygiene Clinic.

“The clinic is 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 only dental hygiene teaching facility that offers the high-quality, low-cost dental cleanings and preventive services to the university population and surrounding community,” said Alice Tse, professor and chair of the dental hygiene program. “By providing real-life dental hygiene care, dental hygiene students engage in high-impact practice for their success upon graduation. This engagement in actual service reinforces the concepts covered in the program’s curriculum and establishes 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 as a community partner.”

Michelle Leung, a third-year dental hygiene student, added, “There are a lot of learning experiences having a dental clinic housed in our program, and we get to provide an important health service to a variety of patients from the community who don’t have insurance.”

For a $25 nonrefundable cash fee, patients can receive basic dental hygiene and other optional dental procedures based on clinical and professional judgment of students and faculty.

Basic procedures include oral examination and charting, scaling and polishing of teeth, and patient education. Optional procedures include dental radiographs, application of topical fluoride and pit and fissure sealants, plaque control instruction, soft tissue curettage and root planing, selected periodontal procedures, administration of intraoral local anesthesia, study model impression taking, amalgam polishing, placement and removal of temporary restoration and periodontal dressing.

Information and appointments

Call (808) 956-8229 for more information or to make an appointment. The Dental Hygiene Clinic is located on the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 campus near Campus Center at 2445 Campus Road, Hemenway Hall, Room 200. Patients must complete a medical/dental history form and be clinically screened prior to being issued an appointment.

A program to keep Hawaiʻi鈥檚 children healthy and ready to learn by providing access to high quality health and school nursing services in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 public schools has earned national recognition.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 , a partnership with the and the (HIDOE) has been designated as an Edge Runner by the . Edge Runners are evidence-based, nurse-designed models that demonstrate significant clinical, financial, community and policy outcomes with proven sustainability and replicability. These programs highlight nurses鈥� ingenuity and collaboration in developing new methods to provide care and promote health equity.

Hawaiʻi Keiki enhances and builds school-based health services that screen for treatable health conditions; provide referral to primary health care and patient centered medical home services; prevent and control communicable disease; and provide emergency care for illness or injury.

“This national recognition is a testament to the dedication of our nurses and so many people behind the scenes who are committed to ensuring that public school students in Hawaiʻi have equitable access to health care,” said Deborah Mattheus, senior practice director and dental sealant program director for Hawaiʻi Keiki. “Studies show that students succeed academically when they come to school healthy and ready to learn. Our program puts health care right into the schools. Hawaiʻi Keiki makes sure every child who needs health care, receives it at no cost and regardless of insurance status. In addition, our nurses provide health education and collaborate with community partners to expand health services, such as vision, hearing and dental screenings.”

School-based health services

Since 2014, the program has responded to emerging and ongoing student, school and community needs, as well as funding availability. The Hawaiʻi Keiki RNs (registered nurses) and APRNs (advanced practice registered nurses) are a resource to the entire school community. They lead the coordination of school health services and assist in school wellness promotion and health careers readiness. Hawaiʻi Keiki nurses collaborate with and make referrals to health systems and individual care providers.

By utilizing technology such as telehealth, Hawaiʻi Keiki has expanded equitable access to care for physical and mental health needs. A Hawaiʻi Keiki RN can virtually connect a student to a Hawaiʻi Keiki APRN. With the presence of dedicated nurses in schools, it allows principals and teachers to focus on education rather than students’ health care.

“When we created Hawaiʻi Keiki, our goal was to find nurses who would build an academic nurse-led school-based health program from the ground up,” said Mary G. Boland, dean emerita, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Nursing. “We focused on creating a program custom designed for the unique qualities of Hawaiʻi and our public school education system because HIDOE is one system across all islands, separated by geographic distance and size. Hawaiʻi Keiki is currently the largest school-based health program in the state and I am so proud of how the program has grown over the past 9 years. I find deep satisfaction knowing that nurses have truly made a difference in the lives of thousands of Hawaiʻi students.”

Health care delivered the local way

Hawaiʻi Keiki nurses are compassionate and engaged health care providers. Many serve in the communities they were born and raised in, and others travel across the state to communities they have adopted as family. Every school, community and island experiences different challenges and health disparities. Hawaiʻi Keiki nurses adapt and respond to the unique medical, socio-economic and geographic issues for their complex area.

“The Academy is proud to designate unique and solution-oriented initiatives as Edge Runners. The diverse focus of Edge Runner models highlight the wide range of services, vital support, and team-based approaches that the nursing profession provides,” said American Academy of Nursing President Kenneth White. “The Hawaiʻi Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn Program applies nurses as innovative change agents who are addressing a specific health care challenge.”

Mattheus will represent the program and be honored at the , taking place October 5鈥�7, 2023 in Washington, DC.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Professor Deborah J. Mattheus of the (NAWSON) has been inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). She was recognized for her transformative work in oral health and school health, including the , which addresses health disparities among children living in the state.

“I am honored to be selected for FAAN and to be recognized among the nation鈥檚 nurse leaders in education, management, practice and research,” said Mattheus. “I am blessed to have had the opportunity to be mentored by several innovative, passionate nursing leaders, and each person has given me critical guidance that has shaped my career, inspired me to embrace innovation, and to remind me of the importance of life balance. I believe in living life to the fullest, while always focusing on making a difference along the way which is one of the reasons for choosing nursing as my career.”

The American Academy of Nursing is composed of approximately 2,900 nursing leaders in education, management, practice and research. Induction into the academy is a significant milestone in which past and current accomplishments are honored by colleagues within and outside the profession.

“Deborah鈥檚 tireless passion and commitment to improving health outcomes for Hawaiʻi youth is an example of how one person鈥檚 dedication can truly make an impact for many,” said Professor Holly B. Fontenot, research director for the department of nursing. “For the past decade, she implemented innovative programs that provide critical health services and education for rural and underserved populations. Deborah is a visionary and exemplary nurse leader. She represents the ideals of AAN Fellows.”

Mattheus has more than 30 years of experience as a certified pediatric nurse practitioner and more than a decade of experience as a nursing educator. She has been with NAWSON since 2014 and was promoted to professor this year. She earned her PhD from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, her master of science in nursing from Simmons College in Massachusetts and her bachelor of science in nursing from American International College in Massachusetts. She is an advanced practice registered nurse with prescriptive authority and a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.

She joins a prestigious group of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 nursing faculty members as Academy Fellows:

• Mary G. Boland (retired)
• Katherine Finn Davis
• Holly B. Fontenot
• Debra Mark (retired)
• Stephanie Marshall (retired)
• Kristine Qureshi (retired)
• Alice M. Tse

The role of oral health is being elevated to a new level of importance for the next generation of physicians. A licensed Hawaiʻi dentist, now on board at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (JABSOM), has been designated to integrate oral health into the medical school鈥檚 core curriculum, thanks to the generous support of (HDS), the state鈥檚 leading dental benefits provider.

JABSOM has named Matthew Oishi as its first oral health director, a newly established part-time faculty position funded with a $2.25 million endowment from HDS.

We appreciate the generosity of HDS and its commitment to make oral health a priority for our medical students
—Lee Buenconsejo-Lum

Oishi will develop an innovative oral health curriculum for aspiring physicians during their four years in medical school, which includes lectures, workshops and clinical training in JABSOM鈥檚 H.O.M.E. (Houseless Outreach and Medical Education) program. He will teach students about oral assessments, dental referral issues and management of acute dental problems.

In the coming year, JABSOM also hopes to collaborate with the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing鈥檚 to incorporate students into the H.O.M.E. clinic to work with the medical students.

“Oishi鈥檚 extensive knowledge of public health dentistry and preventive oral care make him ideally suited for this critically important position. We appreciate the generosity of HDS and its commitment to make oral health a priority for our medical students,” said Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, acting dean of JABSOM. “Oral health is often overlooked in the care of patients and this position is a positive step toward integrating oral health and medical health, in the same way we have seen the need to make mental health a priority in the delivery of primary care.”

“Oral health is a critical component of whole person health. We see this association between oral health and chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and dementia,” said Mark Sweet, HDS dental director. “Training medical professionals in oral health care helps them better understand this connection. We are creating a more comprehensive healthcare system that delivers better outcomes for patients.”

Oishi currently serves as a public health dentist at K艒kua Kalihi Valley, where he provides education to New York University dental residents. He also currently works as a community dentist at the L膩na驶i Community Health Center, and as a geriatric dentist at the Arcadia Retirement Community. His research and scholarship achievements include conducting and publishing research on dental care within vulnerable and minority populations, including the elderly, HIV patients, African Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Improved health with medical-dental integration

The new oral health position and direction of JABSOM were validated by a recent funded by the Delta Dental Institute, which showed that integrating medical and dental services improves health care outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, pregnant women and those in need of chronic disease management.

The report noted that current medical-dental integration (MDI) models increase communication between dental and medical providers, including the exchange of electronic health records and the use of telehealth and teledentistry to coordinate care for patients with complex conditions. In addition, MDI-focused clinics have the capacity to diagnose and refer for chronic disease management, reducing the number of facilities, appointments and providers a patient must interact with to receive comprehensive oral and systemic care.

In recognition of National Children鈥檚 Dental Health Month, nurses and dental health providers with the are reminding parents of the importance of oral health and encourage them to take their child to the dentist. No-cost dental screenings are also available to keiki attending Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE) public schools on Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi.

Nearly 2,000 public school keiki have received dental screenings through the program since 2019. Of those keiki, more than half (61%) needed and received dental sealants, indicating a high-need for school-based health services programs that address oral health.

Dental sealants are a quick and an easy way to prevent cavities. However, despite the high-need and benefits, it is reported that more than 60% of children statewide do not have dental sealants.

“The program is an important first step in improving oral health outcomes for our keiki,” said Deborah Mattheus, Hawaiʻi Keiki-HDS Dental Sealant program director, who is also an associate professor of at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补. “It鈥檚 not unusual for keiki to miss school due to dental pain, which not only limits their ability to eat and speak, but also reduces their overall quality of life. Thanks to the generous support of Hawaiʻi Dental Services Foundation, school-based health programs like ours can offer a solution by providing dental sealants directly to school campuses and at no-cost to families.”

Expanding services

For the past three years, the Hawaiʻi 碍别颈办颈鈥�HDS Dental Sealant Program has experienced rapid growth to address the high-need for dental sealants in the state by providing screenings and sealants to 2nd and 3rd grade keiki at HIDOE Title 1 schools. In 2019, the program was piloted on Oʻahu and screened 106 keiki. Now in its third year, the program screened 869 keiki in the fall 2022 semester and has expanded from Oʻahu to Maui and Kauaʻi.

Since 2019, the program has:

• hosted 90 dental sealant events at HIDOE schools on Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi;
• conducted 1,821 dental screenings for 2nd and 3rd grade students;
• provided sealants for 1,118 students at no cost to families;
• applied dental sealants to 3,813 teeth;
• and identified 67 keiki that needed urgent dental care and connected them with services.

“Our growth would also not have been possible without having an interprofessional team of dentists, dental hygienists, nurses and support staff,” Mattheus said.

Partnership to support student oral health

The Hawaiʻi Keiki—HDS Dental Sealant Program collaborates with HIDOE to identify high-need elementary schools that would benefit from dental sealant days. The program brings licensed dentists and dental hygienists directly to the school, eliminating barriers that families may experience accessing oral healthcare. Hawaiʻi Keiki nurses provide critical assistance in coordination with school teachers and staff and assist during the visit.

During the visits, dental sealants are applied on the keiki鈥檚 teeth to help prevent cavities and tooth decay. The sealants are thin clear or white plastic coatings that are simply applied with a brush on the child鈥檚 teeth. The sealant application protects the dips and grooves on the top of teeth to keep food and bacteria from causing cavities. The application process only takes a few minutes to apply then dry and harden. After the sealants are applied, participating students receive a goodie bag provided by HDS, which includes a free toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and educational material.

The Hawaiʻi Keiki Program is a partnership between the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and HIDOE that provides access to school nursing services in Hawaiʻi public schools.

For more go to the .

Children in Hawaiʻi have among the highest rates of dental decay (cavities) in the nation with 71% of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 third graders experiencing tooth decay, according to a 2015 State Department of Health report. The report found that 7% needed urgent dental care, as compared to the national rate of 1%. Also, more than 60% of third graders in Hawaiʻi did not have sealants on permanent molars.

Hawaii Dental Service (HDS) Foundation has provided a $133,447 grant to continue the , a public school program that screened more than 650 children during the last school year, two-thirds of whom received dental sealants at no-cost. The program is funded through a partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (NAWSON) and the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE).

With the support of HDS Foundation, Hawaiʻi Keiki school nurses, dentists and dental hygienists are improving oral and overall health of students. The program will continue to screen more HIDOE students during this new school year.

Our Hawaiʻi Keiki program is uniquely positioned to provide direct services to public school students
—Clementina Ceria-Ulep

Developed in 2019, the Hawaiʻi Keiki-HDS Dental Sealant Program is proactively working to increase the number of children who receive dental sealants. The program coordinates dental screenings and provides on-site dental sealants at high-need Title I public elementary schools. Dental sealants help to prevent cavities on permanent molars, and the application of sealants is quick, non-invasive and painless. Sealants are routinely applied by a dentist to keiki around second or third grade.

The program鈥檚 overall mission is to keep keiki healthy and ready to learn by providing access to school nursing services in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 public schools.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with HDS Foundation to collaboratively improve oral health and overall health across the state,” said Clementina Ceria-Ulep, interim dean at NAWSON. “Our Hawaiʻi Keiki program is uniquely positioned to provide direct services to public school students.”

“HDS is proud to support this important sealant program to safeguard the oral health of HIDOE students,” said Diane Paloma, president and CEO of Hawaii Dental Service. “Increasing access to dental care in schools helps families establish good oral health habits now to ensure their children have a lifetime of healthy smiles.”

Bringing oral assessments to schools

The Hawaiʻi Keiki-HDS Dental Sealant Program provides oral health assessments and dental sealants at no-cost and brings licensed dentists and dental hygienists to the school to minimize student鈥檚 time away from class. Families of participating students receive assessment reports, referrals and oral care kits, and students who need urgent dental care receive referrals to community dental service providers.

“The schools and parents just love this program because we are providing safe and effective sealants to prevent future cavities,” said Deborah Mattheus, Hawaiʻi Keiki-HDS Dental Sealant Program director. “In addition to sealing teeth, we are screening students for urgent dental conditions and making referrals to get them immediate care. It is hard to learn if you have sore teeth. We are also teaching the kids about the importance of brushing and flossing daily.”

In the last school year, the program screened 653 public school students at 28 schools on Oʻahu, Maui and Kauaʻi, with 430 students, or about 66%, who received dental sealants. Additionally, the screenings identified 31 children who required urgent dental care.

“We鈥檙e grateful for the significant role HDS Foundation plays as a community partner for 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 NAWSON, Hawaiʻi Keiki and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education,” said Tim Dolan, UH vice president of advancement and CEO of the . “Mahalo to HDS Foundation for supporting this critical preventive service for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 keiki.”

Oral health is integral to overall health, and public impact research has shown far too many people in Hawaiʻi are not able to access necessary oral health care. A report from the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health released in 2022 found that Hawaiʻi鈥檚 low-income preschool students have the highest prevalence of dental decay in the nation.The consequences of poor oral health affect the entire body, and many oral health conditions are preventable and can reduce expensive emergency room visits.

A University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 associate professor from the (NAWSON) has developed an oral health toolkit to teach nurses, doctors and healthcare students how to effectively integrate oral health into their practice. This project is a collaboration between the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (HIDOH) Family Health Services Division and NAWSON.

“The integration of oral health into pediatric primary care practice is one substantial and economical way to reduce the bad oral health outcomes and improve overall health and quality of life for our island residents,” said Deborah Mattheus, project lead and NAWSON鈥檚 Professor in School Health. “As a practicing APRN (nurse practitioner), I see kids in the clinic all the time who have poor oral hygiene. We have a great opportunity to proactively take care of their teeth as part of their well-child visit. This will set up these kids for good dental hygiene as they get older.”

• Related 东精影业 News story: 东精影业 professor leads state in 100 Million Mouths Campaign for Oral Health, February 8, 2021

Mattheus, who is also the senior practice director and dental sealant program director, said young children are seen by primary care providers (pediatricians and nurse practitioners) more often than dentists, with an average of 12 recommended pediatric well-child visits in the first three years, and annually between three to 21 years.

“Every primary care visit is an opportunity to assess oral health status, provide oral health education, connect families to a dental home and when appropriate, apply fluoride varnish,” she said.

Toolkit development and training

The project funded by the HIDOH was titled Oral Health into Primary Care Practice: Oral Health Essential Services in a Well Child Visit and consisted of the creation of a training video and promotional toolkit, and dissemination of content to a national audience.

The toolkit includes: 1) a video and handout on steps to applying fluoride varnish; 2) visual examples of early childhood caries (cavities); 3) template for medical charting; and 4) fluoride varnish factsheet for families.

Local actors were used in the video with content customized for a Hawaiʻi audience. Feedback on the content was solicited from HIDOH, community partners, Hawaiʻi Oral Health Coalition members, Harvard University鈥檚 Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health leadership, 东精影业 faculty, dentist, doctors and nurses. .

In May 2022, Mattheus provided training on oral health assessment and fluoride varnish application to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students at NAWSON. Mattheus has shared the toolkit with other Hawaiʻi nursing/medicine programs with requests being made to schedule workshops starting in the fall 2022 semester. She is working with these programs to integrate oral health into their curriculum.

National distribution

The video and toolkit were distributed to the American Academy of Pediatrics Hawaiʻi Chapter, Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association, National Association of Pediatric Nurses and Practitioners Hawaiʻi Chapter, Hawaiʻi American Nurses Association, Hawaiʻi Oral Health Coalition and Hawaiʻi Dental Service.

The toolkit also reached the continental U.S. and was distributed by the Academy of Pediatrics Section on Oral Health, Harvard University鈥檚 Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health, Oral Health Progress and Equity Network, and Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice.

Mattheus has been invited to present the keynote address at the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center Oral Health Learning Cafe Webinar in November 2022.

For more information about the project or to request the video and toolkit, contact Mattheus at mattheus@hawaii.edu.

The at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has appointed Associate Professor Deborah J. Mattheus, as its inaugural Nancy Atmospera-Walch Professor in School Health, effective October 1, 2021.

The endowed professorship was established in 2021 by Nancy Atmospera-Walch for a nursing faculty who is dedicated to increasing the academic success of Hawaiʻi youth by providing access to health care in public schools. Mattheus will contribute to the efforts of the (HK), a partnership between the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 nursing program and the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (DOE).

“Deb is an inspirational leader who is wholeheartedly committed to the health of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 children,” said Mary G. Boland, retired dean and professor. “She is an expert in pediatric and oral healthcare whose efforts are improving the health of students while ensuring school based learning experiences for health sciences professional students at 东精影业. Mattheus is a nationally recognized clinician, educator and researcher whose innovative approaches are changing the delivery of care and education.”

“I am honored to be selected for this professorship and am so excited for the amazing things we have planned to help improve the health of Hawaiʻi‘s keiki,” said Mattheus. “It is a privilege to carry on retired dean Mary Boland’s vision with the Hawaiʻi Keiki Program. We have a fantastic team of healthcare providers who are the heart and soul of this program. This endowment will help continue our momentum and build our school health capacity by providing equitable and culturally sensitive health services.”

Specializing in school health

Mattheus is a tenured associate professor who joined the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Nursing faculty in 2014. She is a practicing pediatric nurse practitioner with more than 30 years of experience.

A pioneer in improving the delivery of school health and increasing positive oral health outcomes in Hawaiʻi and across the nation, her leadership as the HK program senior practice director has expanded the program to provide health services to every DOE school in the state. Program accomplishments have included significantly expanding the number of nurses serving DOE Complex Areas statewide; implementing a telehealth program to service students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic; and securing funding to establish a dental sealant program for elementary school students.

Funding impact and areas of research

To date, Mattheus has secured extramural funding awards in total of $2.5 million. Her current projects, federally-funded grants and research addresses the vulnerability of children with a focus on oral health, dental sealants, school-based health centers, telehealth and expanding the oral health workforce. As a co-principal investigator, Mattheus鈥� projects include adolescent research, telehealth education and practice, school immunizations, vaccine intentions and oral health outcomes for pregnant women and children.

In 2020, Mattheus was one of six healthcare professionals nationwide selected by the Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health as the Oral Health Champion Hawaiʻi: 100 Million Mouth鈥檚 Campaign. She is leading this effort in Hawaiʻi to incorporate oral health information into program curricula of health profession schools as a blueprint that other states can implement.

Her research and projects have inspired dental hygiene and nursing curriculum redesign and innovation. Most importantly, children in Hawaiʻi—especially the underserved—have increased access to health services.

Mattheus holds a PhD in nursing from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, a master鈥檚 degree in nursing from Simmons College and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from American International College.

.

This appointment is an example of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 goal of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

When the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated in-person clinical experiences for health sciences students at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, faculty in the got creative to fulfill the requirement for dental hygiene (DH) students. They developed an alternative clinical experience which allowed the students to provide virtual oral health education to 东精影业‘s Head Start partners and nearly 800 keiki and families throughout the state. Head Start is a federally funded program that provides early childhood education and comprehensive services for low-income families with children ages three to five years old.

The innovative DH clinical experience was offered from August 2020 until April 2021. Twenty DH students conducted virtual sessions and provided health education to 53 Head Start classrooms reaching 775 children and their families using Zoom. With support from Gerraine Hignite, oral health manager for the , and Lynn Fujimoto Ertel, dentist and dental hygiene associate professor, the students created presentations on various dental health topics, followed by a question and answer session. Each Head Start child was also sent a free dental kit to use at home.

In addition to the virtual sessions, Head Start staff were provided with voiced-over presentations of each session for future use in their classrooms to serve the needs of their families.

A valuable alternative

Prior to the pandemic, Head Start keiki traveled by bus to experience 东精影业 campus life first hand, while accessing free oral health services provided by DH students at the . Students taught Head Start keiki about healthy habits such as exercise, good nutrition and oral health hygiene, including brushing and flossing. With the closure of the clinic in March 2020 due to COVID-19, the DH department, led by Program Administrator and Instructor Kristine Osada, needed to think creatively to continue students鈥� clinical experiences while providing important health education to the community.

“Creating and providing virtual oral health education was a valuable experience for DH students, while also meeting the needs of the Head Start community,” said Deborah Mattheus, nursing associate professor. “Students found this alternative clinical experience using a virtual educational platform, to be initially challenging, while also gratifying once they were able to complete each session successfully.” Mattheus and Osada are co-investigators of a five-year Health Resources and Services Administration training grant aimed to increase student鈥檚 knowledge and experiences in providing oral care to children ages 0—5 years.

“As dental clinics reopen, dental hygiene programs should continue to use this creative approach, which allows for the provision of education regardless of location in the state,” added Mattheus.

This program is an example of UH 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

University of Hawaiʻi health science students and faculty presented their scholarly work on research, evidence-based practice, quality improvement and health services program development at the . The annual in-person event, organized by 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (SONDH), was held via Zoom this year.

“Our research committee hosts the annual 东精影业 Health Science Interdisciplinary Poster Festival to celebrate the research and contributions of our faculty, students and local healthcare community members,” said Deborah Mattheus, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Nursing associate professor. “This year, we are proud to virtually highlight the works from 32 outstanding health professionals and students from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and 东精影业 Hilo, as well as leading local health agencies.”

The poster presentations featured various topics from nursing, dental hygiene, medicine, social work, public health and pharmacy. The event enabled participants to share their work, converse with other poster presenters and learn about other health sciences research. Service and academic sector clinicians and colleagues from The Queen’s Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center and the University of Maryland also presented their work.

Kal Peterman is a SONDH student graduating this August with her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. She presented her poster on “Development of a Flowchart-Based Algorithm for Insulin Initiation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.”

“I was interested in participating in this event because I thought it was a great opportunity to disseminate the results from my DNP project and to engage with many other health professionals and students in various disciplines,” she said. “It provided an opportunity for me to develop my presentation skills and fostered my confidence as I transition to become a new graduate clinician. I was also curious to learn about topics that other individuals are studying and researching.”

.

This event is an example of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

After nearly 16 years of service to the University of Hawaiʻi, Mary Boland will retire as the longest-serving dean of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (SONDH) in June 2021. She has led SONDH to become a lever for local and global social change.

Originally set to retire in mid-2020, Boland quickly recognized that her assistance was needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. She postponed her retirement to provide consistent leadership and support for the school and university to traverse these new waters.

“We cannot thank Mary enough. She delayed her retirement by a year when the pandemic struck,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno. “She has been indispensable to the state and the 东精影业 System in planning the COVID-19 response.”

“The School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene is a key 东精影业 asset leading through education, research and service,” Boland said. “During the past 16 years, I have had the honor of serving our Hawaiʻi nei in concert with great students, engaged alumni, outstanding faculty and wonderful community partners鈥攁ll dedicated to improving health.”

SONDH flourished under Boland鈥檚 tenure, creating innovation within the school and the larger community. What has stood out has been her ability to successfully execute SONDH鈥檚 vision of a multifaceted enterprise that supports the mission of the UH through leadership, excellence and innovation. She has the ability to bring vision to life by leveraging the skills and talents of a team of individuals, while maintaining a sense of humility for those she leads by caring for them as people.

Leadership

At the helm of the school, Boland leads 105 faculty and staff, 414 students, countless alumni and several transformative initiatives, such as the and the program. She has worked to ensure the advancement of school strategic plans that promote 东精影业鈥檚 commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural values by developing a spirit of faculty collaboration, building a professional staff, and engaging with employers, alumni and community organizations.

• Related 东精影业 News story: Nursing dean named 2020 School-Based Health Care Champion, September 28, 2020

“She really looked at the entire community, private, public, federal and state partnerships,” said Stephanie Marshall (COL Ret U.S. Army), who served as the director of community partnerships at SONDH. “It was never just about the School of Nursing, but it was about how we can come together with various aspects of the state.”

Leaving a legacy of continued success

Boland leaves a legacy that has set the school up for continued success in the years to come. During her tenure, the school has added new endowments to support distinguished professorships and established multiple student scholarships and endowments.

She led three nursing and two dental hygiene national accreditations, expanded research and partnerships, and improved access to education and care. She supported the development of the to address oral health needs of young children.

Boland introduced the followed by the (DNP) degree. Since launching, these programs rose to and maintained national rankings and continue to attract students from all over the world.

Perhaps one of Boland鈥檚 most visual products of innovation is the funding, construction and operation of the nationally accredited . This center serves as a shared community resource that educates teams of students across all the 东精影业 health disciplines by providing a safe space for organizations to simulate updates to their procedures to improve patient safety.

“She has created tremendous opportunities for students at undergraduate and graduate levels. That was always near and dear to her heart, giving students as enriching experiences as they could get,” Marshall said, adding that she was able to accomplish these achievements through partnering with others. “It was always about partnerships. No person is an island. Her mantra was that we have to all work together and build those blocks for health care.”

The search for a new dean of SONDH is expected to begin in the coming months.

Children in Hawaiʻi have the highest prevalence of dental decay in the nation, according to a 2015 state Department of Health report. Statewide, 71% of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 third-graders experienced tooth decay, 22% had untreated tooth decay, and 7% needed urgent dental care, compared to the national rate of 1%.

The University of Hawaiʻi Maui College and the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 with support from the (HDS) Foundation are leading various outreach efforts to improve oral health outcomes for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 keiki. These efforts are focused on providing treatment and education in elementary schools on Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Oʻahu, focusing on underserved communities.

东精影业 Maui鈥檚 dental hygiene students prepared lessons in the Smiles for Maui program, targeting three Title I schools. These future dental hygienists brought tooth-brushing kits for school children鈥攖oothbrushes, toothbrush covers, toothpaste, floss picks and individual bags for keeping kits together鈥攑roviding age-appropriate instruction on oral care for daily, dedicated toothbrushing time in school. Follow-up visits by dental hygiene students offered reinforcement for students and troubleshooting for teachers.

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 program鈥檚 mission is to keep keiki healthy and ready to learn by providing access to school nursing services in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 public schools. It recently added oral healthcare services, offering assessments and dental sealants in Title I Department of Education public schools. Families of participating students received assessment reports, referrals and oral care kits, and students needing urgent care received referrals to community dental service providers.

HDS Foundation has generously supported 东精影业鈥檚 oral health outreach efforts since 2002. This long history of partnership has helped to recruit and train dental hygienists to serve our communities while improving access to oral health services for all Hawaiʻi鈥檚 children.

An associate professor with the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 (SONDH) will lead Hawaiʻi in a nationwide initiative to improve oral health.

Deborah Mattheus has been selected as one of the first six Oral Health State Champions as part of the Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health (CIPCOH) (100 MMC). The campaign is working with six pilot states to develop blueprints to rollout in other states, and aims to positively impact the oral health of 100 million mouths over the next 10 years. Hawaiʻi will serve as a model for future 100 MMC states.

CIPCOH chose Hawaiʻi to participate due to its oral health needs. About 60% of elementary school students in Hawaiʻi have experienced dental cavities, which is around 20% above the national average, according to CIPCOH. In addition, 24% of adults in the state have lost six or more teeth to decay or disease, and 101,000 residents live in a dental shortage area. Through the 100 MMC, the goal is to improve oral health by enhancing its integration into primary care.

“Most people do not take their kids to the dentist until they are 2 years old or older,” Mattheus said. “However, they will see their pediatrician. It is up to the primary care provider to teach families about oral hygiene, to prescribe fluoride, and to integrate oral health education into each child鈥檚 visit. Baby teeth are important for overall health and secondary teeth. The mouth is part of and should be included in discussions about their overall health.”

Integrating oral health into curricula

To help achieve this goal, Mattheus will be working with health profession schools to incorporate oral health into their curricula. She has free resources available to these schools with ready-made educational materials, such as online modules, to help make it as easy as possible for them to incorporate.

At SONDH, Mattheus has already begun the effort. Along with Assistant Professor Rick Ramirez, they have created a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) workshop teaching students about oral health and how to apply fluoride varnish to a child. As the state champion of the 100 MMC, Mattheus is available to assist other nursing programs across the state, and can provide similar workshops upon request.

Mattheus is a pioneer in improving the oral health of Hawaiʻi children through SONDH, the and other leadership positions. She serves on the Hawaiʻi Oral Health Coalition Leadership Team, with a focus on prevention and access. Presently, she is leading federal and locally funded efforts to improve the oral health of children including applying in the public elementary schools.

“No matter your age, race, education or income, everyone in Hawaiʻi deserves a healthy smile,” Mattheus said. “This can be achieved by: 1. Providing oral health education in various health care settings (primary care offices; dental clinics; long-term care facilities; hospitals; OB-GYN clinic; Women, Infants and Children program (WIC); etc.) delivered by medical, dental and various other community providers, and 2. Creating equal access to oral health services that can be delivered both in primary care settings as well as in traditional dental settings.”

Mattheus said the first step is to educate current and future health care providers on the importance of oral health and its relationship to overall health. The next step is to give providers the resources and tools to make this transition successful and sustainable in the practice setting.

For inquiries about the 100 MMC, contact Deborah Mattheus at mattheus@hawaii.edu.

This effort is an example of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.