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Keiki
Why See a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentists specialize in caring for tiny teeth, just as a Pediatric doctor specializes in children's health. In addition to more training, our Pediatric dentists are known for building fun, exciting appointments that children want to come back to. Pediatric dentists are also excellent in communicating with children and can explain preventative care in simple and clear terms.
Did You Know...
Most children lose their first around the age of 6.
Your Child's First Visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children see a Pediatric Dentist before their first birthday or when their first teeth come in. Dental problems can begin early and we know children need healthy teeth to speak and chew food! Please schedule with any pediatric dentist near you.
Meet You and Your Child
The first step is to meet you and your child! We'll ask a couple of basic questions regarding your child's oral health and answer any questions you may have. You're welcome to accompany your child throughout their appointment.
Exam and Cleaning
Depending how old your child is, exams usually involve looking around the gums, teeth, jaws, and bite for healthy growth and development. Your child's visit also includes a gentle cleaning to remove plaque, tartar, and stains.
Schedule Your Next Appointment
If your child's teeth are healthy, you'll schedule another visit in six months. If something was found, your dentist will provide recommendations and help you schedule a follow-up appointment.
Have Questions? We Have Answers!
I'm pregnant. Should I see the dentist?
Regular checkups and healthy dental habits can help prevent conditions from developing or worsening. Although not all mothers experience these, some experience pregnancy gingivitis, an inflammation of your gums caused by hormonal changes. Your gums may become sensitive or bleed, developing into a more severe form of gum disease.
Pregnant moms are also at an increased risk of tooth decay and cavities. Morning sickness can expose your teeth to increased acids, which can eat away at your enamel. Please tell us if your pregnant when you check-in.
How do I take care of newborn gums?
When your newborn first flashes that gummy smile, that's a sign that it's time for you to begin their dental health journey. Because newborns don't have oral bacteria, your primary focus at this stage is to prevent their mouths from full colonization. That means not sharing any utensils and avoiding cross-usage.
Aside from preventive measures, parents can also start their kids on their oral hygiene routine by cleaning gums with a soft cloth and water. That way, even if their babies contract oral bacteria, this doesn't mean instant colonization.
When do all the baby teeth come in?
During the first few years of your child’s life, all 20 baby teeth will push through the gums, and most children will have their full set of these teeth in place by age three. A baby’s front four teeth usually erupt or push through the gums at about six months of age. As their teeth erupt, some babies may become fussy, sleepless and irritable, lose their appetite, or drool more than usual.
Can my kid brush their own teeth?
Children typically don't develop the skills to brush effectively until they are 7 years old or until they can sweep a floor without missing any spots. Continue helping your child brush their teeth helps them practice!
Why visit the dentist when my child has never had cavities?
Regular dental visits help your child stay cavity-free. Teeth cleanings remove debris that build upon the teeth, irritate the gums and cause decay. Hygiene instructions improve your child’s brushing and flossing, leading to cleaner teeth and healthier gums.
Patient Reviews

Shout out special THANK YOU to Dr.Lee and his awesome HFD teams from the Carlos Family, been with them for a year now and we just love taking our kids there, even our kids gets excited when we go their. Office is VERY clean and kid friendly, would recommend all my families ans friends.

Love Dr. Hank he does an awesome job and the kids really look forward to seeing him! They’re great on getting you in at the time of your scheduled appointment and everyone was very Friendly.Only thing I would suggest is maybe some new chairs in the waiting area out front as those are a it yuckie.

By far the beat dental office I’ve been to. I really don’t do reviews at all. Literally. But this place deserves one. Everyone that I have come into contact with was very friendly & welcoming. Felt very comfortable here which is important to me. My front teeth were really screwed up. I had a bit of an anxiety episode while they were getting ready to do work on my teeth. Dr.Coloma & the dental assistant was very patient & understanding. They are very thorough & explain everything to you. Constantly tells you your doing great & not to worry. I am completely happy with my new smile & my kids love it. So they would like to thank you as well Dr.Coloma. The two girls from billing are very sweet & nice. They help you & walk you through everything. They even came to see me once the work was done to see how it looked. If I could rate a twenty on my experience, I would! You won’t regret coming here. If your looking for a dental office that makes you feel at ease & comfortable, look no further. This is definitely the place to go.

Fantastic staff!!! It’s a little weird to find (the hilo location). But the wonderful women who work there more than make up for the odd location!My daughter is slightly special needs. She normally would flip out at the thought of a dentist (she’s 11) but the women there made her so happy and comfortable! They played and joked with her. The dentist was also very warm and friendly with her. He explained what he was going to do. He made it fun and easy. My daughter wasn’t scared at all. She even thanked everyone on our way out!It’s nice to have a good friendly dentist for kids! It can be really scary. Everyone there really went out of their way to make it a positive experience! I highly recommend them!!

The staff made my 2 and 4 year old sons feel really comfortable. The stickers on the walls and teddy bears helped a lot. I was so surprised how well the appointment went. The kids were thrilled to get a prize out of the coin machine. The staff members are true pros and know how to deal with kids. I will recommend this place to everyone with kids!

Took both my boys 7 and 20month mo. Old to see dr kerns today. It was our first visit, so we had paperwork to do, for 2 kids. Sherlynn and Sheena were so helpful and made the process easy. She explained about their wonderful family plan which we signed up our whole family for it. It will save us so much money in the long run. The wait was short, the office is pleasant and they have a cute waiting room for kids. Once we were called in, Kyron our dental assistant made the boys feel safe and comfortable during prep and X-rays . Then it was time to meet dr kerns. What a sweetheart!! She was playful and loving with them. Cleaning done without tears and they even got goodies to take home! I’m so glad I found this center. Happy mama! Now it’s time to schedule my own visit and cleaning. Thank you Hawai’i family dental Lihue team! Big mahalos to all of you!!

Absolutely wonderful! Bright, clean, friendly offices. Flexible appointment times. Extremely thorough exams and consultations. Joe does an amazing deep cleaning of teeth. He is polite, careful and super knowledgeable. Everyone that I have interacted with there has been upbeat, kind and helpful. There is a cute little corner for kids to play in. Parking is right next to the door, and they validate for the whole time you are there.

Dr. Matt and his assistant were so patient with my super squirmy little 5 year old. They really know how to work with children of all ages and make the appointment a whole lot more fun than we expected. What a great dentist experience for kids!! We talked about her princess teeth the whole way home and I am sure she will be telling everyone about them today at school!

I loved this place! It was my little ones first dental visit and I was a little nervous since this wasn't specifically a pedo office. However, when we arrived I was very impressed. The office was decorated for kids and was playing Disney music. The staff was all very kind and attentive making her feel comfortable. Dr.Woody was gentle and warm, she wasn't the least bit scared or uncooperative. I was most appreciative that the front staff informed me of my copay BEFORE she was seen and explained my benefits/treatment. Great place, that is close to home and makes me feel confident about my kid's dental care.

Always a great experience with Hawaii Family Dental. Kailey is really good, always makes me comfortable during my teeth cleanings. D and Annabelle at the front desk are lovely and efficient. Nice waiting room with toys to keep the kids occupied. To top that off, they always have my favorite channel, The Food Network, on while you wait for your appointment!

Last week I saw Dr. Matt after not being happy with the dental office upstairs. I think their name is genital Dental. Dr. Matt was amazing with my kids. My kids have bad teeth, pretty much my fault cause I don't think I was giving the right food to them when they were small. 2 of them needed fillings and one of them had to have their puka teeth pulled.Dr. Matt was understanding and told me how we can get them back on track. After hearing what i needed to hear, i'm glad Dr. Matt took time to coach me. He didn't judge and he was pretty compassionate. My kids loved their visit. Thanks guys and aunty Ida and val. You guys give a mom like me hope.

Love this place. Great doctors and staff. My kids see Dr. Matt. First time ever my kids dentist let me in the room during their visit. He even sang to my daughter and made her smile! Recommend seeing him hands down if you have kids. Check out their toy machine for keikis. Awesome.