Building a Brighter Future for Hawai‘i, One Smile Maker at a Time.

Hawaii Dental Service (HDS) is the leading not-for-profit dental benefits provider in Hawai‘i, serving the state for over 60 years. HDS partners with over 95% of Hawai‘i’s licensed, practicing dentists and serves more than one million residents in Hawai‘i, Guam, and Saipan, ensuring care for individuals, families, and employer groups.

Beyond dental plans, HDS is deeply committed to improving oral health throughout Hawai‘i, especially in underserved rural communities. The HDS Foundation, established in 1986, has played a crucial role in these efforts through its mission to improve oral health across the islands. In 2024 alone, the HDS Foundation distributed over $2.3 million in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations throughout the state to support programs that promote oral health education, prevent oral disease, promote workforce development, and increase access to dental care for underserved populations. In addition to providing grant support for oral health programs in Hawai‘i, HDS invests in local talent by funding scholarships for students pursuing careers in dentistry and dental hygiene. In 2024, the HDS Foundation awarded $113,000 in scholarships, helping to further strengthen Hawai‘i’s dental workforce.

HDS also fosters early interest in dental careers through community events like the HDS Tooth Fairy Fun Day. This annual event celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month, where children participate in dental screenings and interact with volunteer dentists. In 2025, over 1,800 keiki and family members attended the event at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center. To continue expanding its impact, HDS will extend the event to Maui in June and return to Pearlridge for the second time later this year. HDS will continue its outreach with rural communities, including a visit to Moloka‘i for the annual Moloka‘i Resource Fair.

With a strong commitment to community outreach, workforce development, and oral health education, HDS continues to play a vital role in shaping a healthier, brighter future for Hawai‘i. Through these efforts, HDS is not only improving access to dental care but also helping to cultivate the next generation of dental professionals in Hawai‘i.