Q1 2024 Dentistry Outlook feat. Hawaii Dental Service
HDS is committed to workforce development, collaboration with dentists to increase oral health education and access to care, and scholarships for students pursuing careers in dentistry and dental hygiene.
Q&A with: Diane S.L. Paloma, PhD,
President & CEO,
HDS
What are some of your company’s focus areas for 2024?
HDS continues to be at the forefront of oral health for our members and the broader community. Through our HDS Foundation and our involvement with the Hawaii Oral Health Coalition and partnerships with community partners, and health organizations, we’re focused on eliminating barriers to dental care through our initiatives, outreach, and increasing oral health education in underserved areas.
We’re looking forward to 2024 being a year of growth for our HDS employees. As part of our leadership team’s commitment to nurturing the talents and skills of our employees, we are increasing professional development and training opportunities and team building to strengthen the foundation of our organization and ensure we can provide the local, high-quality service our members expect of a homegrown Hawai‘i company.
Another focus area is investing in our State’s dental community to ensure our HDS members and Medicaid beneficiaries have access to the best dental care in the years to come. HDS is committed to workforce development, collaboration with dentists to increase oral health education and access to care, and scholarships for students pursuing careers in dentistry and dental hygiene.
Many of your customers and clients are facing huge challenges this year. What are those challenges and how can you help them?
Our hearts continue to go out to those on Maui as families recover from the devastating August wildfires. The disaster created economic stress and has taken a toll on their emotional and physical health and well-being. Last year, the HDS Foundation invested more than $1.6 million in the community, including support of services for impacted and displaced residents on Maui. This included emergency funds for the Community Clinic of Maui for dental equipment and a grant to supply and equip the mobile van run by Hui No Ke Ola Pono, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System for Maui. HDS and the HDS Foundation will continue to look at ways to further improve access to care in underserved communities to ensure a healthier future for all.
900 Fort Street Mall Suite 1900
Honolulu, HI 96813
HawaiiDentalService.com
