For 30 years, Dr. Allen K. Hirai has been providing children with exceptional comprehensive dental care. Highly educated, he earned a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of the Pacific. Additionally, Dr. Hirai spent two years in a Pedodontic Clinical Residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center.
A cornerstone of Dr. Hirai's treatment philosophy centers on parental participation in implementing preventive principles at home and in the office. He is a non-pharmacological(non-sedation) behavior management specialist. The premise is to provide the child with a positive learning environment to enhance their dental experience without the use of mind altering medications. Each child is treated as an individual and is nurtured and supported through their experience in our office environment.
Dr. Hirai feels it is important to stay on the cutting-edge of pediatric dentistry. Thus, he maintains memberships in many prestigious professional organizations to keep up-to-date on the latest techniques and technology. He is currently a member of the American Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Association, Honolulu County Dental Society, Hawaii Academy of Pediatric Dentists and Aloha Dental Club.
In his spare time, Dr. Hirai enjoys golfing and spending time with his family and friends. He is an avid sports enthusiast and enjoys being a community supporter of Hawaii athletics for the youth of Hawaii.
We are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We aim to provide energetic and fun-loving service to each patient, and we put your childs needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment. Our staff of wonderful 'aunities' have been a part of Dr. Hirai 's practice for many years. They have watched many of our patients grow up and have become a vital part of the success of the practice.
The team at Pediatric Dentistry Kahala are highly trained and have years of experience working with children. We strive to stay abreast with the latest advancements in technology and do our best to continue our education through courses and seminars on pediatric dental care.
Dr. Allen Hirai realizes that as a pediatric dentist he is often the very first experience your children will have visiting a dentist office. Therefore, Dr. Hirai wants to make sure that each patient has a positive and comfortable experience at his Kahala, HI office. By working with you as a parent we can help your child establish good dental habits early and prevent poor dental health in the future.
For young patients and their parents its important to understand the traditional development of your teeth. Throughout your life, you will have two sets of teeth: primary (baby) teeth and secondary (permanent) teeth. The primary teeth appear around ages 6-8 months, and all 20 are in place by age 3.
Permanent teeth will begin to grow around age 6, and with the exception of wisdom teeth, are all present between ages 12 and 14. The next teeth to grow in are the 12-year molars and finally the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth typically begin breaking through from age 17 and on. The total number of permanent teeth is 32, though few people have room for all 32 teeth, which is why wisdom teeth are usually removed.
Your front teeth are called incisors. The sharp fang-like teeth are canines. The next side teeth are referred to as pre-molars or bicuspids, and the back teeth are molars. Your permanent teeth are the ones you keep for life, so it is important that they are brushed and flossed regularly and that periodic check-ups by a dentist are followed.
At Pediatric Dentistry Kahala, we are passionate about helping our patients develop healthy, beautiful smiles that last them a lifetime. Dr. Hirai and our expert team of pediatric dental specialists work hard to treat each child on an individual, personalized level, and we have the knowledge and experience to make every visit to our office a pleasant experience for all involved. We place an emphasis on providing expert, high-quality pediatric dental care to patients in a fun, friendly office environment and much of what we do centers around preventing, controlling, and healing cavities.
Simply put, a cavity is a hole in the tooth: it's a crater-like area where the tooth enamel has eroded away, exposing the underlying dentin on the inside of the tooth. So why do they happen? Cavities have a number of causes, including anything acidic like soda or sour candies, but the most common cause is bacteria. The bacteria that naturally live in your mouth can break down sugar into acids, which eat away at tooth enamel. Without proper oral hygiene, this acid can break through the enamel, forming a cavity.
When a cavity forms, it's best to treat it right away, as leaving it may allow it to worsen. To fix cavities, Dr. Hirai will fill them. This involves cleaning the cavity and surrounding tooth, then using a strong, biocompatible material to fill the hole left by the cavity. Once filled, the cavity stops growing and the tooth is restored to its normal look and function.
Without a doubt, though, the best way to fight cavities is to prevent them from forming in the first place. The most important way to prevent cavities is through a diligent oral hygiene routine of daily brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to our office for cleanings and examinations. Additionally, staying away from acidic foods or foods high in sugar can help stave off cavities - instead, opt for a healthy diet filled with vegetables and low-fat cheese. With diligent care, it's entirely possible to prevent cavities entirely and keep children's teeth healthy all the way through adolescence and beyond.
We hope you've found this page informative, and if you have more questions about cavities, we're always here to help. Dr. Hirai has helped countless patients develop beautiful, healthy smiles, and we take a holistic approach to help our patients achieve a beautiful smile in the long term. If you'd like to find out more about our services, think your child might have a cavity, or just have more questions, feel free to call us at (808) 737-0076 or reach out to us at our contact page. We can't wait to hear from you!
Reviews
Rating 4.7 out of 5 based on 15 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJustin Poaha
2 years ago
Went here as a kid and now I am taking my kids. Simple as that.
Justin Poaha
3 years ago
Went here as a kid and now I am taking my kids. Simple as that.
Aulani Kupahu
3 years ago
I highly recommended giving this dental office a try... It's a very clean, of course kid friendly office the energy in this office is awesome. My 3 children are now new patients here. I was so scared because of our last experience we had with another dental office! The moment you walk in you're greeted, they actually care to know you're family, and they made my kids feel so welcome. "Aunty Lei"... mahalo for being so caring, and making my babies feel safe. After leaving they said "I like that aunty"... coming from kids that was so scared to step foot in a dental office for years! You are truly a gem. Mahalo!
Aulani Kupahu
4 years ago
I highly recommended giving this dental office a try... It's a very clean, of course kid friendly office the energy in this office is awesome. My 3 children are now new patients here. I was so scared because of our last experience we had with another dental office! The moment you walk in you're greeted, they actually care to know you're family, and they made my kids feel so welcome. "Aunty Lei"... mahalo for being so caring, and making my babies feel safe. After leaving they said "I like that aunty"... coming from kids that was so scared to step foot in a dental office for years! You are truly a gem. Mahalo!
Kimberly Gleason
4 years ago
I first met Dr. Hirai when my youngest child age 7, needed some dental work done for his cavity. My son had been to the dentist many times prior, but one particular visit was especially difficult. During the visit he would not stop crying so the dentist was unable to complete a cavity repair. We were then referred next door to a pediatric dentist, Dr. Allen Hirai. I did not have a chance to research who this dentist was and his experience. With the recent negative media publicity of inappropriate practices, I was a bit anxious and scared. However, I was completely taken back when I met him and saw this new environment. Dr. Hirai and his staff instantly made me and my son feel at ease. His calming demeanor, professionalism and compassion, helped to calm down my son and was able to complete the work that was needed. I transferred my other two children to Dr. Hirai soon after. They all enjoy going to the dentist now. They are comfortable with getting dropped off and picked up after their appointment. I would highly recommend Dr. Hirai to anyone looking for a trusted pediatric dentist.
Kimberly Gleason
5 years ago
I first met Dr. Hirai when my youngest child age 7, needed some dental work done for his cavity. My son had been to the dentist many times prior, but one particular visit was especially difficult. During the visit he would not stop crying so the dentist was unable to complete a cavity repair. We were then referred next door to a pediatric dentist, Dr. Allen Hirai. I did not have a chance to research who this dentist was and his experience. With the recent negative media publicity of inappropriate practices, I was a bit anxious and scared. However, I was completely taken back when I met him and saw this new environment. Dr. Hirai and his staff instantly made me and my son feel at ease. His calming demeanor, professionalism and compassion, helped to calm down my son and was able to complete the work that was needed. I transferred my other two children to Dr. Hirai soon after. They all enjoy going to the dentist now. They are comfortable with getting dropped off and picked up after their appointment. I would highly recommend Dr. Hirai to anyone looking for a trusted pediatric dentist.
Karen
5 years ago
My 3 children were patients here before I worked here. I remember I complimented Dr. Hirai when my daughter asked "when can I come back again?" after having her 1st fillings done at age 4! I now have personally watched Doc work his magic, that years of experience bring, on children that are so relaxed during a 30 minute appt for fillings that they fall asleep! And we don't use any drugs here. The children's health & safety are our main concerns. We treat our patients like our own family. It is our pleasure to serve them & watch them grow with healthy smiles & with the experiences of dentistry that is pleasant & not scary. My now young adult sons don't want anyone besides Aunty Lei to clean their teeth because it doesn't hurt! I do have to mention that Doc does have the best staff ever!
Kana Mathis
5 years ago
Dr. Hirai and his staff are the best! They have always been kind and accommodating at every visit. Their office is very clean and organized with plenty of fun books and toys for the kids. The location is also convenient with plenty of free parking. :) Highly recommended!
Austin Perreira
5 years ago
He's an awesome dentist. When he numbs you can barely feel it. So when it was time for a dentjst for my kids I knew they would be in good hands. I would definitely recommend
Karen
6 years ago
My 3 children were patients here before I worked here. I remember I complimented Dr. Hirai when my daughter asked "when can I come back again?" after having her 1st fillings done at age 4! I now have personally watched Doc work his magic, that years of experience bring, on children that are so relaxed during a 30 minute appt for fillings that they fall asleep! And we don't use any drugs here. The children's health & safety are our main concerns. We treat our patients like our own family. It is our pleasure to serve them & watch them grow with healthy smiles & with the experiences of dentistry that is pleasant & not scary. My now young adult sons don't want anyone besides Aunty Lei to clean their teeth because it doesn't hurt! I do have to mention that Doc does have the best staff ever!
Austin Perreira
6 years ago
He's an awesome dentist. When he numbs you can barely feel it. So when it was time for a dentjst for my kids I knew they would be in good hands. I would definitely recommend
Kana Mathis
6 years ago
Dr. Hirai and his staff are the best! They have always been kind and accommodating at every visit. Their office is very clean and organized with plenty of fun books and toys for the kids. The location is also convenient with plenty of free parking. :) Highly recommended!
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