Keeping Hawai‘i Healthy 2026 – Hawaii Dental Service
Hawaii Dental Service (HDS) is the leading not-for-profit dental benefits provider in Hawaiʻi, serving the state for over 60 years. HDS partners with over 95% of Hawaiʻi’s licensed, practicing dentists and serves more than one million residents in Hawaiʻi, Guam and Saipan, ensuring care for individuals, families and employer groups.
Beyond dental plans, HDS is deeply committed to improving oral health throughout Hawaiʻi, especially in underserved rural communities. Since 1986, its charitable arm, the HDS Foundation, has played a central role in advancing this mission across the islands. In 2025 alone, the HDS Foundation distributed over $2.1 million in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations statewide, supporting programs that promote oral health education, prevent disease, strengthen the dental workforce and expand access to care.
In addition to providing grant support for oral health programs in Hawaiʻi, HDS invests in local talent by funding scholarships for students pursuing careers in dentistry and dental hygiene. For the 2025-2026 school year, the HDS Foundation awarded $122,000 in scholarships, helping to further strengthen Hawaiʻi’s dental workforce.
In addition, HDS fosters early interest in dental careers through community events such as the HDS Tooth Fairy Fun Day. Held annually in recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, the event provides children with dental screenings and opportunities to interact with volunteer dentists. This year marked its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of promoting healthy smiles through fun, educational experiences.
HDS will continue to expand its outreach, with a growing focus on reaching rural and underserved communities. 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 Hawaiʻi. Through these efforts, HDS is not only improving access to dental care but also helping to cultivate the next generation of dental professionals in Hawaiʻi.
