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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
We've been patients of Dr. Tom since my oldest,15, has been 2 years old. The staff are always so welcoming and so very helpful. My kids always feel so loved at every visit. They are very patient with them and help them overcome being afraid. Dr. Tom is professional and cares about our kids. He lets us know what needs to be done to help our kids maintain beautiful, healthy teeth. My kids always remember the dentist as the "the ocean" we love the fish decor. I look forward to every visit with Dr. Tom and his wonderful, friendly staff. Thank you Dr. Tom.
Dr Keeton is AMAZING. And that's an understatement.He was on time. And made my child feel so welcomed, gained his trust and now he loves going to the dentist. We joke around that Dr Keeton is Blippi, a favorite kid youtube personality.The moment Dr Keeton's walked in to greet us, his voice, tone, language and mannerisms was so welcoming. He shown genuine interest in the well being of my child, took the time to show him all the dental tools and explain each step of the procedure. It was truly edu-tainment at it's best. It takes a long of skill, empathy, love and compassion for his clients to do what he does. Kudos to him. He's my favorite dentist for all my kids now!
The dentists and team are beyond amazing! They made my kids feel so, so relaxed even though they were undergoing some extractions and other intensive treatments. It was like dinner and a show, the dentists crept su smiling, laughing and most importantly, informed. We learned so much about healthy dental habits that will benefit us for our entire lifetime. While some dental offices in the mainland are like overstuffed jungle gyms, this is Maui and I think it is the perfect island office where you can trust that you will get the most attentive care for your children. Also, they were one of the ONLY offices who would respond in the midst of businesses reopening from COVID and, they accept QUEST! My son’s teeth would have gotten so much worse had that not gotten us in for so many appointments over the past few months and I am just so grateful for Hawaii Family Dental and all they did. Also, the doctors speak Spanish which is an additional bonus. They’re the best!
The staff is real and genuine with aloha they make my kids feel so safe they love going there especially my son who is 5 he loves it.
Dr. Keeton is amazing! He’s so patient and great with kids!! My grandson needed to have a cavity filled on Halloween, and it was the most stress free experience for him and for me! Dr. Keeton even wore a Batman mask just to make it especially fun. I have never met a dentist who worked this well with keiki!! The staff are phenomenal as well. They are kind and go out of their way to give my grandson all kids of goodies whenever he comes. He even got to go trick or treating in the office. They think of everything to make dental work a positive experience for kids. I strongly believe that negative childhood experiences with dentists can deter them from seeking treatment as adults. I don’t have to worry about that at all with Hawaii Family Dental. My grandson is actually excited to go to the dentist!!
I have tried a few different dentists on the Hilo side for my young daughter. I drive over to Kona because Dr. Keeton is truly the best! He is patient and very funny with kids. He takes the time to explain every step of the process to my child in language that helps her to relax and feel comfortable. She had to have some work done that could have been traumatizing, and it was not. I credit Dr. Keeton's skills and kind approach.
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.
They give the BEST cleanings!! I wish I could come more often then twice a year lol Always feel GREAT after one. Even my kids who have a different dentist can tell the difference. They like Hawaii Family Dental better than any other dentist they've had.
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!!
Kids love coming here. The dentist changes often but all are sweet and caring and really explain everything to both parents and kids!
my kids really enjoyed goin to the dentist. really enjoyed Dr. Kerns she a really good dentist. I loved the way she worked with the kids and got along with them so well. very efficient caring and friendly
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. Lee was very efficient and thorough. The only downside was that his plane was late so we were stuck in the office with two very restless two year olds. Beyond that, the visit was quick and the kids were thrilled with their goodie bags.
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!
My kids were never good with any people they didn't know but dr.griffel was was amazing with her and answeredy question perfectly thank you
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.