The Department of Health need only restore the Dental Hygiene Division which was eliminated in the 2009 State Budget. That division had a staff of dentists and dental hygienists who targeted the neighbor island and rural areas of Hawaii where tooth decay was most prevalent.

The staff went to the public schools in the high risk areas and conducted dental exams and provided fluoride treatments for those children. Each year of its existence, the Dental Hygiene Division use to examine and treat up to 30,000 children. That division was in existence with the DOH since the 1950s. 

Thanks to Linda Lingle, that division was eliminated in 2009. However, neither Abercrombie nor Ige have been willing to re-instate the division because it “costs too much” at less than $2.5 million per year. Yet, they want to fund the UH Cancer Center with General Fund for $5 million every year instead of taking care of the basic needs of our keiki.  What are their priorities?