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Searching for a dentist
The Hawaii Dental Association offers its Membership Directory online. You may use the directory to quickly access information about HDA-member dentists. About 880 Hawaii-licensed dentists belong to the HDA. That's almost 73 percent of all Hawaii-licensed dentists. However, this directory should not be used exclusively as a referral service. This directory allows you to find out if a Hawaii-licensed dentist is an HDA member and it will give you some basic information about that dentist (address, type of practice).
For more information about a specific dentist
Neither this directory nor the Hawaii Dental Association is able to provide you with information about any specific procedures (such as using lasers, treating bad breath, etc.) that dentists may offer in their dental practices. The HDA also is not dentistry's regulatory agency so we do not maintain records concerning any disciplinary actions. If you would like more information about a particular HDA-member dentist, please contact the member's dental society or call the dentist's office and ask for information about the dentist and his or her dental office. In addition to using this directory, here are other considerations when choosing a dentist:
- Ask your family physician, family members, friends, neighbors or co-workers for a recommendation.
- Contact your district dental society, which may be able to provide you with further information about dentists you find in this directory
- If you are moving to Hawaii or to a new area within Hawaii, ask your current dentist for a recommendation.
You may want to talk with several dentists or dental offices before making a decision. You and your dentist are partners in maintaining your oral health. Take time to ask questions and take notes if that will help you remember your dentist's advice. When you visit the dental office, consider these points:
- Are the reception and waiting areas attractive and welcoming?
- Is the office staff friendly, polite and helpful?
- Did a member of the dental team take your medical and dental history?
- Did the dental team use proper "universal precautions" such as gloves and masks?
- Did they sterilize instruments and disinfect work areas between patients? Did the dentist or other dental team member discuss preventive techniques to avoid dental problems?
- Is information provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled?
Is there a difference between a DMD and a DDS?
DMD stands for doctor of dental medicine. DDS stands for doctor of dental surgery. Some dentists have DMD degrees and others have DDS degrees depending from which dental school they graduated. The education curriculum required to attain either of these degrees is the same. Additionally, the American Dental Association, the Hawaii Dental Association and the Hawaii Statutes (The Dental Practice Act), agree that these dental degrees are identical and interchangeable.