Dental Industry Challenges
Like any industry, dentists face challenges that demand our collective attention, such as rising costs and staffing shortages that affect care accessibility and affordability. Additionally, ensuring that all residents, particularly those in underserved areas, have access to dental services remains a key priority.
Workforce Shortage
Economic Challenges
Access To Care
How HDS Addresses Dental Industry Challenges
We are helping to close the dental employment gap in Hawaii.
The HDS Foundation is tackling workforce gaps by focusing on scholarships for local students pursuing dentistry or dental hygiene. In 2023, the HDS Foundation awarded $110,000 in scholarships to local students. In 2024, the Foundation expanded its outreach to include high school career fairs. To motivate upcoming local dentists to return and practice in the islands after dental school, the HDS Foundation also partially funds the State of Hawaii's loan repayment program for dentists.
We are helping dentists stay in business and have a greater impact in their communities.
HDS understands there are dental practices struggling with rising operating costs and expenses, which can impact how much dentists charge patients for their services. Dental benefits providers set reimbursement rates to help keep dental care affordable for members. However, due to the rising costs and expenses it may not be feasible for dentists to accept the reimbursement rates. HDS conducts annual fee analyses to ensure the market can bear higher fees for dentists.
We are addressing access to dental care across our islands.
HDS and the HDS Foundation are deeply committed to advancing oral health education throughout the year. They actively collaborate with the Hawaii Oral Health Coalition, a collective of oral health professionals and organizations dedicated to improving access to care, addressing disparities among underserved populations, and enhancing preventive care measures. The HDS Foundation supports these efforts by providing grants to community health clinics and implementing impactful oral health initiatives that benefit local families. Additionally, our HDS Professional Relations team consistently advocates for increased dentist and specialist presence in underserved areas, emphasizing the critical need to expand access to care across our islands.
Resources for Dentists in Hawaii
• Join the HDS network of dentists and expand your patient base. Your participation includes access to free office staff training on claims submission and eligibility and benefits verification, complimentary dentist seminars across the State of Hawaii for continuing education credits, and a secure portal equipped with features that allow you to submit your patient claims and review payments.
• Senate Bill 1035 – General Excise Tax Exemption: In 2023, HDS supported and provided testimony for this bill, which exempts dentists from GET on dental services reimbursed through Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. Effective 1/1/2026, more details to follow.
Supporting Your Health Journey Every Step of the Way
At HDS, we're here to make dental care affordable and accessible for all, whether you're insured, uninsured, or underinsured. Our job is to support dentists so they can provide the best care possible to our members. We ensure that the dentists in our network are licensed and meet the high standards our members expect. Ultimately, both dental benefits providers and dentists are on the same team, working together to keep local families healthy throughout the year.
Contact Hawaii Dental Service
Professional Relations
Our team will be happy to answer your questions about our dentist advantages and credentialing process. Our Professional Relations hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. HST.
