Periodontists / Dentists

[rmelzig]

Anyone have experience with a periodontist on the island? New to the island and strategy is to have a heavy-duty cleaning and seek suggestions from a specialist for a general dentist - every day they see the work of the primary dentists.

Rick Melzig

[rmelzig]

Interesting - no replies. Anyone know of a dentist taking new patients?
Thanks

Rick Melzig

[csgray]

We have been happy with Dr. Tiffany Wang at Kawili Dental. I have had a lot of dental issues over the years and she has been quite satisfactory.

Carol

[hikatz]

Dr. Chris Igawa is excellent and taking new patients. 935-8909.

[JerryCarr]

I have used Dr. Igawa for five years now and am quite satisfied.

[myomy]

Any opinions about Dr. Layman in Pahoa?

[tgalarneau]

I wouldn't go to Dr. Layman. It's great to have a dentist in Pahoa, but because of his age there can be a few issues. For my daughter he drilled one cavity and forgot to then fill it. He scared my wife when she was in the chair and he was behind her talking to himself about things better not said. Really not sure what was going on. I think it might be time for him to retire.

[wyline]

I had a really great experience with Dr. Sakata in Hilo 935 8877. I have extensive restorations and recently had a problem that seemed to be unsolvable on this island. My mainland periodontist researched and found him via his rep for implant hardware. there who referred us to Dr. Sakata.
They actually spoke during my visit and were able to resolve my problem. Not only was he extremely competent, he had a great personality as well, and the entire visit was better than I could have hoped for. He does periodontal examinations and if the pockets are not too deep, he can perform the cleanings in house. If not, he refers to a perio doc in the same building. I was pleasantly surprised at the level of expertise considering my former docs were state of the art in Beverly Hills.

Wyline

[Midnight Rambler]

I also go to Sakata and would recommend him, though I haven't had much work done (just one filling) so I don't have a lot to go on. It seems odd that Hilo has a pretty good abundance of dentists, when it has so few physicians.

[spunky]

Midnight - the issue of doctors is state wide not just in Hilo. On other islands there are very good dentists and very few doctors. I really don't think as many people nearing or starting retirement would move here if they actually knew just how bad the medical staffing situation is.