Dr. Keiko has been practicing dentistry since 1995. She graduated from Osaka Dental University in Japan and moved to the US afterwards. She graduated from University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 2007. Currently, she holds two Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in the field of Dentistry. Upon graduation, the University of the Pacific bestowed their highest honor upon Dr. Keiko, the Deans Valedictorian Award. She moved to Hawaii and started her own practice in 2008, since then she has been voted annually as Honolulu Magazines Best Dentist. She has also published several articles in dental journals. Dr. Keiko has appeared as a Best Cosmetic Dentist in the Honolulu Star Advertiser. Although Dr. Keiko was encouraged to become a specialist and a professor, practicing dentistry is where her passion lies. She enjoys general dentistry because she can perform a variety of procedures and develop long-lasting relationships with her patients. In addition, Dr. Keiko is also a guest speaker and translator for major companies, both in the United States and abroad. She lectures every year in Japan for ASO International, one of the most respected dental laboratories in Asia, and other study groups and universities. Finally, she is a founding partner for Clear Ortho Consulting, a firm in Japan that specializes in instructing doctors on achieving better outcomes with Invisalign.
Misato is locally grown on Oahu and speaks English and Japanese fluently. She has ventured out of island in 2010 and lived in Arizona for 2 years. During her time there she has obtained her Dental Assistant Certificate. In 2012 she has returned to the island and started working at Ala Moana Dentistry, shes been working beside Dr. Keiko since then. She has started as dental assistant and gradually gained her knowledge in the dental field. Now she can answer any of your insurance questions along with detailed explanation of the service/procedure provided at our office to help you understand your needs.
Nozomi is from Kobe, Japan. She was working at a stock company in Japan as a financial adviser. She moved to Hawaii in 2014. Nozomi strives for providing better patient care daily from the patients point of view when explaining treatment plans and dental benefits.
Chelsie has been practicing as a dental hygienist for 5 yeras and joined the team in 2021. She loves meeting and working with new people and shes dedicated to helping you achieve your most beautiful, healthy smile! Outside of the office she is spending time with loved ones, reading, relaxing and enjoying Hawaiis beautiful outdoors.
Lily has been practicing dental hygiene for over 10 years. She joined the practice in 2021. She graduated with Master degree in Dental Hygiene, and loves her profession. She lives in Waikiki with her family, enjoys travelling to new places, eating new food, and taking long walks with her family on the beach.
Yuko joined the Ala Moana Dentistry team in 2016. She lives in Kaneohe with her husband and their two children who keep them very busy. Yukos co-workers are like family to her, which makes it fun coming to work everyday!
Preventative care is a critical part of supporting overall oral health. We assess the overall health of your teeth and gums and look for telltale signs of other problems such as oral cancer. The sooner an oral health problem is found, the easier and less painful it is to treat. It is recommended that patients have exams every 6 months and cleanings every 3-6 months, depending on the status of your oral health in the moment. We also offer dental sealants and fluoride treatment.
For those who grind their teeth, have implant restorations, have teeth with indentations at the gum line and are diagnosed with periodontal disease, a night guard should be worn as a preventive measure. Not only can this save your natural teeth from wear and fracture, but it will also protect restorations already in your mouth.
Fluoride is used to remineralize the tooth and make it more resistant to the acid and bacteria in the mouth. It is recommended for those susceptible to cavities, that have receding gums, and helps with general sensitivity as well. Fluoride varnish utilizes a natural tree resin base that facilitates adherence of the varnish to the teeth and prolongs the contact time between fluoride and the tooth surfaces.Your dental provider will remind you not to eat or drink for 30 minutes after fluoride has been applied.
More people are being diagnosed with oral cancer than ever before. But surprisingly, research shows this increase is not due to the traditional risk factors of drinking, smoking, or using chewing tobacco.
Oral cancer is now being found in a younger population of men and women who dont smoke or drink heavily. One reason for this increase in people under age of 40 is due to exposure to the HPV-16 & HPV-18 viruses, known collectively as the human papillomavirus. The HPV virus can spread by intimate contact. That is why the Centers for Disease Control recommends that all patients over the age of 17 be screened annually for oral cancer.
The signs and symptoms of oral cancer are often missed by the naked eye, especially in its early stages. We use the device that can help detect abnormalities which may lead to oral cancer. Early detection means early treatment, and a cure rate of nearly 90%.
