HONOLULU, HI — Two Honolulu dentists are offering comprehensive dental and medical identification services for children to give parents peace of mind should their child go missing.
Dr. David Miyasaki of A Downtown Dental Group visited a local school this month to educate students and parents about how to respond in the event of an emergency or abduction. The ChildPrint ID Kit uses an impression of the child’s teeth, DNA, fingerprints, photos and medical records to help identify children. The kit also includes tips on how children and parents can avoid dangerous situations.
“Today you can never be too prepared, especially when it comes to your children,” Dr. Miyasaki said. “We love treating the children in this community, and we take pride investing in treatments and tools that will keep our local youth safe.”
Dr. David Miyasaki visited Kapalama Elementary School on April 22 to give a presentation on ChildPrint ID Kits at the school’s annual safety assembly attended by the students and interested parents. The dentists at A Downtown Dental Group help spread the word about ChildPrint ID Kits, but they also help parents administer the kits.
A Downtown Dental Group has special appointment times for the ChildPrint ID Kits, Saturdays from 1 to 2 p.m. and weekdays from 4:30 to 5:00 p.m., though parents are required to schedule an appointment. The dentists will complete the kits for free. Once the kits are finished, they are stored and easily accessible should law enforcement need access.
“We do a lot of community service every year, and we did do something similar a few years ago called Toothprints,” Dr. David Miyasaki said. “This service is more involved than Toothprints and allows us to give parents vital information about keeping their children safe.”
Dr. Wilfred Miyasaki and his son, Dr. David Miyasaki, operate A Downtown Dental Group. The state-of-the-art office offers general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry, implant dentistry and services for diabetic patients. Diabetes has been linked to serious oral health problems like gum disease, and Honolulu has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the United States.
The office offers multiple ways for patients to straighten their teeth and achieve the smile they have always wanted. In addition to traditional orthodontics, the practice provides the short-term orthodontic treatments Fastbraces and Invisalign.
Invisalign is an orthodontic system that uses clear aligners to gradually straighten teeth. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible and can be easily removed for cleaning and eating. Fastbraces uses a special bracket-and-wire system to straighten teeth in just a few months. Unlike traditional orthodontic services, Fastbraces straightens the root and crown of the tooth at the same time, which drastically decreases treatment time.
Dr. Wilfred Miyasaki struggled with cavities as a child and wanted to become a dentist to make dental visits more comfortable for others. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and graduated from Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry. Dr. Wilfred Miyasaki completes 50 to 100 hours of continuing education every year and has taken courses at the prestigious Pankey Institute and Las Vegas Institute. He is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International and the continuing education director of the Pacific Dental Study Group in Honolulu.
Dr. Wilfred Miyasaki is deeply involved in the dental community and local community organizations. He has served as the chairman and director of the Hawaii Smiles For Life Charitable Foundation; is involved in various dental study groups; and supports local Boy Scout troops.
Dr. David Miyasaki achieved his undergraduate degree from University of Washington and then attended Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He completed his general residency from the UCLA School of Dentistry. Following his residency, he returned to Honolulu in 2014 to join his father at A Downtown Dental Group.
New Releases
Dentist With a Heart
Dr. Miyasaki speaks with the news anchor from KHNL-8 to discuss his annual Valentine’s Day gift for Honolulu residents in need. Dr. Miyasaki and his team spend the day offering free dental care (first-come, first-served) including cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and more.
Toothprints
Dr. Miyasaki speaks with anchors from KGMB-9, KHON-2, and KHNL-8 about how he uses his skills to protect children and help parents feel more secure that they have the information they need to identify their children. Toothprints is a public service that collects a tooth print (along with DNA and scent) for parents to keep in case of the unthinkable. Proceeds from the procedure go to children’s charities.
You will also see Dr. Miyasaki speak with anchors from KHON-2, KGMB-9, KHNL-8, and KFVE-5 about his candy buy-back program.
Candy Buy-Back
Dr. Miyasaki speaks with a news anchor from KITV-4 about his annual tradition of hosting a Halloween candy buy-back to help kids give their excess candy to troops serving overseas and earn some pocket money in return. For every pound of candy turned into the office (up to 15 lbs), the child will receive $1. Participants will also go home with a new toothbrush and toothpaste.