​You may find Yourself, Your Loved one in need of Older Adult/Senior Care. Lucky for you, I am Old School with Old School Values. You are Not on an assembly line; You are Not dishonored.   In my young life, I lived next door to my wonderful grandma and grandpa for 13 years. I Learned Mutual Admiration, Mutual Respect, Perseverance.   I enjoyed filling in for Senior Aerobics classes, at Family Fitness/24 Hour Fitness. For 13 years as an ACE Certified Low Impact Aerobics Instructor, 3 days a week.
I like treatment in my office where I have the resources on hand for optimal treatment. Also, we have a dental hygienist who goes to Convalescent Facilities for teeth cleaning and evaluation. On occasion, I am called to go onsite, and I do, to diagnose. 
I see Older Adults are a Heterogenous population with Varying Expectations for their Oral Health. Who, also present with a broad spectrum of health and wellness to be appreciated as diagnosis and treatment proceeds.   I Listen.
Some patients remind me they have been under my care for 30-33 years, 29, 27…years. Be the Mary, the Paul, the Merle, the Howard, the Bill, the Molly, the Thelma, the Grace, the Art…all are welcome. I am Going STRONG!

​HA HA, SOME CALL ME “OLD SCHOOL.”  I CALL IT WISDOM.  WISDOM IS IN SHORT SUPPLY.  MY GRANDPARENTS THOUGHT AND MODELED WISDOM, LOVE, INTEGRITY, AND PERSISTENCE IN HONOLULU.  I WAS FORTUNATE TO ATTEND THE EPISCOPAL COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL, IOLANI, FROM K TO 12.  MY FIVE BROTHERS AND I RECEIVED KINDNESS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS.  I DID SCHOLARSHIP WORK, CAFETERIA, CLEANING OFF STAINLESS STEEL LUNCH TRAYS AND PLACING THEM INTO THE DISHWASHER, WORKING IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, WORKING THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY.  THERE IS NO SHAME IN WORKING.   MUFI HANNEMANN, FORMER MAYOR OF HONOLULU, AND FIRST SAMOAN TO ATTEND HARVARD AND GUY KAWASAKI, FORMER APPLE GURU, WERE TWO OF MY MANY LIVELY CLASSMATES.  I ALSO WORKED TWO SUMMERS AT DOLE PINEAPPLE FACTORY, ONE OF THOUSANDS WORKING, SOMETIMES HOT, SOMETIMES MONOTONOUS, 12-HOUR SHIFTS. LOOKING BACK, THAT GIVE ME INSPIRATION TO AIM HIGHER.

WHILE ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, I WORKED TWO SUMMERS FOR A HONOLULU MOVING COMPANY.  HARD WORK.  I WAS THE “RUNT”, BUT I WAS ABLE TO “SEE” THE DIVISION OF THE WORKFORCE.  THERE WERE 4 COLLEGES STUDENTS.  THERE WERE THE ALCOHOL DRINKERS.  THE THIRD GROUP WERE THE POT SMOKERS.  THE GROUPS DID NOT MIX AFTER WORK.     I ALSO SERVED AS A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE FOR A YEAR AT THE CHANCELLORS ACADEMIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, WHERE THE DEANS OF THE UNIVERSITY MET WITH THE CHANCELLOR TO WORK ON THE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION.  SOMETIMES THE CONVERSATIONS WERE VERY HEATED, VERY POINTED BETWEEN THE DEANS AND THEIR COLLEAGUES.  THERE WAS POWER.  THERE WAS MONEY AT STAKE.  I SAW THE BRILLIANCE AND KINDNESS OF PATRICIA SAIKI AT WORK.  EVENTUALLY, SHE BECAME A US REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS FOR HAWAII.
 
TODAY SOME PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS DO NOT SEE THE WISDOM OF CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN GAINING AN EDUCATION WORKING A JOB.  THEY TREAT THEIR CHILDREN LIKE “PETS.”

DENTISTS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BUYING GADGETS.  MANY TIMES, THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE GADGETS.  I THINK IT IS VERY PRIMAL TO THOSE IN THE DENTAL FIELD.  THEY BELIEVE, THE NEW EXPENSIVE GADGETS WILL SAVE THEM, TURN THEM INTO THE SUPERIOR DENTIST, THEY ARE DRIVEN TO BELIEVE.   BEAUTIFUL, HANDSOME, CHARMING REPS APPEAL TO YOUR EGO, YOUR PRIMAL DESIRE TO BE THE SUPERIOR DENTIST.  THEY USE ALL THEIR WEAPONS TO THE SEAL THE DEAL, KIND OF LIKE WORKING THE “JUNKIE”.  THE PROBLEM IS THERE ARE 10’S OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF GADGETS IN A DENTIST’S HISTORY- IN THEIR LABS, GARAGES, AND/OR THROWN AWAY.  IT RAISES THE PRESSURE TO “SELL” MORE.  ALSO, THE MOUTH IS A VERY UNFORGIVING ENVIRONMENT.  AND, WHEN THESE REPAIRS FAIL.  AND THEY EVENTUALLY WILL.  THE “FIX” IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AND COSTLY.
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OLD SCHOOL ME, I USED NEW TECHNOLOGY, JUDICIOUSLY.  THE DENTAL SPECIALISTS, THE DENTAL LABS, I USE HAVE THE “STATE OF THE ART” TECHNOLOGY GADGET, SO I DON’T HAVE TO DUPLICATE IT.  BESIDES NORMAL STERILIZATIONS AND DISINFECTANT PROTOCOL, I USE THE GAINED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO DO TOP NOTCH DENTISTRY.

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, PRECISE, AND PORCELAIN WORKING IS DONE OFFSITE AT SUPERIOR DENTAL LABS IN THE HANDS OF EXPERT/ TALENTED LAB TECHNICIANS, WHERE I CAN CONNECT AND POST WITH. IT IS NOT DONE IN THE DENTAL OFFICE WITH MACHINES.

HA, HA, “OLD SCHOOL”? I’LL TAKE THAT EVERYDAY!​

I WOULD LIKE THIS MESSAGE TO BE ONE THAT HONORS AND PAYS TRIBUTE TO MY DAD.  aT A TIME OF SHIFTING VALUES, IN A TIME OF QUICK CHANGE, IN A TIME OF CHANGE FOR SAKE A GREAT DAD IS A KEY STONE. 

KAUPO, MAUI WAS A SMALL, NOT SO WET, WIND SWEPT VILLAGE ON THE EAST SIDE OF MAUI.  CATTLE, PLANTATION, AND PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD GATHERED WHERE THE VOLCANO, HALEAKALA, MET THE SEA.  THERE YOU WOULD FIND CHILDREN OF KAUPO FISHING AND PLAYING AS CARE FREE CHILDREN DO.

BUT EVEN IN THIS SLEEPY PLANTATION VILLAGE THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES.  DIFFERENT RACES AND CULTURES WERE PRESENT WITH DIFFERENT HUMAN BEHAVIORS, JEALOUSIES, ENVY, SPITE, AND DEGREES OF LOVE WITHIN EACH RACE.  SOME PEOPLE LIVED ON THE "BETTER SIDE" OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS.  tHERE WERE BOYS SQUAbbling with each other, fighting with each other.  A kind of human education was being learned - good or bad.  i don't know what the girls were doing because this is the only from dads perspective.  although he had three sisters i don't think he knew either. 

His mom and dad wanted him to be successful.  born in 1920, his young life, his young manhood led him through the 1029 depression and world war ii.  i cannot imagine how life would be, going through 16 years of tough times in our country.  the world was very tough.  there was no touchy -feely-ness, but tough expectations and tough criticism.  corporate bosses were hard and labor unions were hard.  there was thug behavior from the short sleeved open collared shirt union.  there was thug behavior from the suit and tie corporate leaders. 

My dad lived an amazing life from poor boy on the rural side of Maui.  He started as a clerk for the Matson shipping company and retired as the head sales.  At sixty-five he led and grew a freight forwarding company.  sales and business grew sixty percent plus under his watch.  He started an air freight arm there.  He's been a father of six successful, resilient, kind  hearted men.

on vacation to see  my dad, as we talk for hours at breakfast time, we bring mutual love and respect to the table.  dad brings a wealth of business experience and lessons from the bottom of the corporate circles.  As i progress in life I too bring a different kind of wealth and experience to the table.  We compare, contrast, and challenge our thoughts and experience.  Sometimes we have pointed, strong conversations.  We laugh, we console each other, we confirm each other.  What a rich opportunity of life.  And I know life does not get better than this.  this will not last forever.  

When I lost my best friend, I called my dad and my step mom to ask to come home for a few days.  And he said yes - come, stay longer. 

At eighty-five years old, he has lost much sight and it legally blind.  i cannot imagine what it is like walking in his shoes.  Yes it is frustrating - very much so.  But he is finding a way to find value in life.  Ten years ago when he suffered through bypass surgery he's been able to slowly take off that tough skin he needed to perform and survive his business career. 

The role of a Great dad has been severely under valued, diminished and swept aside in much of our society.  The work of a Good Dad is immeasurable - it's priceless. 

So, to the happy and wise fathers and our sons out there, and I 've met many in my practice, Happy father's day !!!
Honor yourself too!!
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I traveled to Durham, North Carolina to see, Cadie Bates, who plays volleyball for the Duke Blue Devils. I’ve known Cadie since she was 5 years old.
The Blue Devils met Louisville at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium home. Cadie played Valiantly leading her team, winning the first 2 sets. But the NCAA bound Louisville Cardinals (24-6, 18-2) came back, winning the last 3 sets. I was SO PROUD of Cadie!
After battling injuries in her early career at Duke, Cadie has played Magnificently this year for Duke, with 350 kills and 360 digs, 17 double-doubles, on an injured team. All-ACC Second Team Honors. Truly, a MVP season. She went out with a Big Bang!
Throw out the volleyball success. I’m most proud of Cadie for the Outstanding person she is- her Good Character, her Good Sense of Humor, her Resilient Spirit.
On Senior Day, Duke swept the North Carolina Tar Heels, another great game for Cadie as she led her teammates. On hand were proud Mama and Papa, Mary Lyn and Mike, and Wonderful sister Carlee who also had a great career at Montana. What a proud win for a Wonderful Family!
I am So Proud of All the youngsters, of my practice, who grow into Truly Able Adults!  

Here is “Cookie Judge” Dr. Soon at Vineyard Ranch at Temecula, Assisted Living and Memory Care. Their Cookie Contest event had 5 judges. It was So Much Fun!! Every one of the 18 contestants wanted to Win! So, I tried my best to give Every cookie my very best. Ha Ha.
My dental hygienist Mary’s husband is the much talented Executive Chef there. I have had the chance to sample his food - it is Wonderful! Terrific! Chris has honed his skills, through experiences over the years, and WOW!