What's New with Aiea-Newtown Dental..

We are excited to welcome a new dentist, Dr. Zachary Lee to our practice this fall!

Dr. Zachary Lee was born and raised on Oahu. He graduated from ‘Iolani School, received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Santa Clara University in 2011, and obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of California, San Francisco in 2016. After graduating from dental school, he was fortunate to return home to complete a General Practice Residency at the Queen’s Medical Center to further his training in all aspects of dentistry under the guidance of many local general dentists and specialists. Dr. Lee is a member of the American Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Association, and the American Society of Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry.

Dr. Lee loves spending time with his wife, (soon to be) two children, and their two dogs. Outside of the office, you are most likely to find him on the soccer field, golf course, or out for a run around the neighborhood. He recently ran the Boston Marathon and hopes to eventually run all six major marathons.

While dentistry can sometimes be challenging and complex, Dr. Lee strives to work closely with his patients to ensure that they receive personalized, quality care in a friendly and comfortable environment.

A recent study by Dr. Shervin Molayem DDS in Los Angeles Dr. Carla Cruvinel Pontes DDS, PhD of Cape Town, South Africa has pointed to a link between poorly controlled gum disease and inflammation to COVID-19 and other respiratory complications. IL-6 is an immune response cytokine of which high levels can tremendously increase your risk for respiratory complications. Poorly controlled gum disease creates uncontrolled inflammation and can be a contributing factor for increased IL-6, putting you at higher risk for complications if you contract COVID-19.

While we certainly are not boasting that we can prevent any and all complications of COVID-19, we are making great efforts to provide a safe environment to maintain your oral health during this pandemic.

For more information on this topic, please go to www.mouthcovidconnection.com  to view the entire presentation.

Dr. Ertel and Dr. Hiramoto attended the Honolulu County Dental Society meeting which included some valuable information on the Hawaii youth vaping epidemic. There were a lot of myths that were debunked about the risk factors involved and the targets of their marketing campaigns. Vaping can also cause detriment to your teeth and oral environment.

For more information, please visit HealthyHawaii.com/Tobacco-Free/Vaping  

February was National Children's Dental Health month and Dr. Hiramoto volunteered in two events to help spread oral health awareness for our keiki. Along with orthodontist Dr. J Demeo, he visited Palolo Elementary to provide dental health education to the first grade classes.

Last weekend, on 5/26/2018, Dr. Ertel and Dr. Hiramoto volunteered to support Special Olympics Hawaii in the Special Smiles division to aid in doing dental screenings with the athletes and making mouth guards for athletes engaging in contact sports. They regularly volunteer for the annual event, as well as some of the smaller events during the year to support the special needs community which they treat in their office and at Queen's Medical Center as well. It's always a wonderful and cheerful event that is great to be a part of. For more information visit their website at: http://www.specialolympicshawaii.org/

We are excited to welcome a new dentist, Dr. Zachary Lee to our practice this fall!

Dr. Zachary Lee was born and raised on Oahu. He graduated from ‘Iolani School, received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Santa Clara University in 2011, and obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of California, San Francisco in 2016. After graduating from dental school, he was fortunate to return home to complete a General Practice Residency at the Queen’s Medical Center to further his training in all aspects of dentistry under the guidance of many local general dentists and specialists. Dr. Lee is a member of the American Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Association, and the American Society of Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry.

Dr. Lee loves spending time with his wife, (soon to be) two children, and their two dogs. Outside of the office, you are most likely to find him on the soccer field, golf course, or out for a run around the neighborhood. He recently ran the Boston Marathon and hopes to eventually run all six major marathons.

While dentistry can sometimes be challenging and complex, Dr. Lee strives to work closely with his patients to ensure that they receive personalized, quality care in a friendly and comfortable environment.

A recent study by Dr. Shervin Molayem DDS in Los Angeles Dr. Carla Cruvinel Pontes DDS, PhD of Cape Town, South Africa has pointed to a link between poorly controlled gum disease and inflammation to COVID-19 and other respiratory complications. IL-6 is an immune response cytokine of which high levels can tremendously increase your risk for respiratory complications. Poorly controlled gum disease creates uncontrolled inflammation and can be a contributing factor for increased IL-6, putting you at higher risk for complications if you contract COVID-19.

While we certainly are not boasting that we can prevent any and all complications of COVID-19, we are making great efforts to provide a safe environment to maintain your oral health during this pandemic.

For more information on this topic, please go to www.mouthcovidconnection.com  to view the entire presentation.