November 2016 – Press Release – Lanai Community Health Center Appoints New Dental Director

LANAI COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER APPOINTS NEW DENTAL DIRECTOR
In his new role, Dr. Randy Kam will provide preventative and restorative dental care to serve the growing needs of the Lanai community 

Lanai City, Hawaii, November 23, 2016 – Lanai Community Health Center (LCHC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Randy Kam to the position of Dental Director. In his new role, Dr. Kam will be the clinical leader for oral health, preventative and restorative dentistry services as well as collaborate with health center staff to develop ongoing oral health education programs to the Lanai community, and continuing to provide dental services to LCHC patients. 

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Kam in the Lanai Community Health Center ‘ohana as dental director and now to agree to be our dental director,” said Diana Shaw, LCHC executive director. “His knowledge and expertise will allow our healthcare facility to continue developing our dental program to meet the ever-growing needs of the
community.” 

Dr. Kam was born and raised in Honolulu and graduated from Punahou School. He then went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from UCLA and received his dental degree from UCSF. After receiving his dental degree in 1985, Dr. Kam completed his residency in hospital dentistry at San Francisco General Hospital the following year. He practiced dentistry in Honolulu from 1986 until 2015 when he started working with LCHC. Dr. Kam earned his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1998, and was inducted as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists in 2011. 

“My practice philosophy has always been to prevent more and drill less,” shared Dr. Kam. “LCHC is the perfect setting in which to do this because of the center’s mission to provide quality healthcare services to individuals whether insured or not.”

LCHC currently serves more than 50% of Lanai’s more than 3,000 residents. With the appointment of Dr. Kam and the new prevention outreach initiatives, the center anticipates reaching 100 new patients by December 2017. In addition, the health center anticipates 500 current patients will take advantage of the expanded access and convenient “onestop shop” setting.

In addition to providing restorative dentistry, LCHC meets a critical need on Lanai for access to preventative oral health services. Approximately 42.7% of Lanai adults have had no teeth cleaning in the past year compared to 28.7% statewide and 45% have had permanent teeth removed compared to 40% statewide.

LCHC focuses on patient and community education, screening, fluoride varnishing and sealants in the pediatric age group, and screening, routine cleaning and preventive services for our adults, as well as routine restorative procedures, including crowns and dental implants.For more information on services and programs available at Lanai Community Health Center, visit lanaihealth.org or call 808-565-6919.