Kim Pediatric Dentistry - Kailua: A Legacy of Children's Dental Care

Last updated July 05, 2026

Some dental practices open and close within a decade. Kim Pediatric Dentistry in Kailua, Hawaii has been caring for children's teeth for nearly half a century, spanning two generations of the same family and earning a reputation across the windward side of O'ahu that parents pass along to their own children when it's time to schedule that first appointment. Located at 642 Ulukahiki Street, Suite 308 in Kailua's Weinberg Medical Plaza, the practice has grown from a single pioneering dentist's vision into a full team of pediatric specialists who still operate by the same philosophy that started it all: treat kids with honesty, patience, and genuine compassion.

The practice serves children from infants through adolescence, offering everything from routine cleanings and preventive care to sedation dentistry for anxious patients. What sets Kim Pediatric Dentistry apart is not just the breadth of services but the culture that has been deliberately maintained across decades of ownership and staff changes. Parents who grew up in Kailua and were patients of the original Dr. Kim now bring their own kids through the same doors, a cycle of trust that speaks louder than any marketing campaign could.

History and Founding of Kim Pediatric Dentistry in Kailua

The story begins in 1975, when Dr. Howard Kim returned to Hawaii and opened a pediatric dental practice in Kailua. At the time, there was no other pediatric dentist serving the windward side of O'ahu, which meant families in Kailua and the surrounding communities had no local specialist to turn to for their children's dental needs. Dr. Howard Kim changed that, building a practice from scratch and dedicating 42 years of his professional life to caring for thousands of children across the region.

His approach was personal. He was known for what locals call 'talk story,' the easy, unhurried conversation that builds real trust between a provider and a patient. He didn't talk down to kids or rush through appointments. He explained things honestly and treated families like neighbors, because in Kailua, they often were. By the time he passed, he had become the foundational figure of pediatric dentistry on the windward side.

His daughter, Dr. Maile Kim, grew up watching him work. She has described her father as both her mentor and her best friend, and when it came time to choose a career path, following in his footsteps was a natural decision. She absorbed his communication style and his values, and she carried them into her own practice. Today, Kim Pediatric Dentistry continues that legacy under her leadership, more than four decades after Dr. Howard Kim first opened the doors.

Services and Specialties at Kim Pediatric Dentistry

The practice covers the full range of pediatric dental care, from a child's first dental visit through the teenage years. Services are designed to meet kids where they are, developmentally and emotionally, with staff trained specifically in working with young patients who may be nervous, uncooperative, or simply unfamiliar with dental environments.

• Preventive care: Routine cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental exams tailored to children at each stage of development.
• Restorative dentistry: Fillings, crowns, and other treatments for cavities and tooth damage, performed with techniques suited to pediatric patients.
• Sedation dentistry: Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) mixed with oxygen and delivered through a small mask, helping anxious children relax during procedures without the risks associated with deeper sedation.
• Special needs dentistry: The team includes providers with specific training and passion for caring for children with special needs, including patients who require additional patience, adapted communication, and customized treatment approaches.
• First dental visits: Infant and toddler appointments designed to introduce children to the dental environment in a low-stress, positive way before any treatment is necessary.

The sedation option is a meaningful differentiator for families dealing with dental anxiety. Nitrous oxide allows children to remain conscious and responsive while feeling calm, which makes procedures faster and less traumatic. Parents who might otherwise delay treatment because their child is terrified have a practical alternative that doesn't require general anesthesia.

Team and Leadership

The practice's strength comes from its people. Dr. Maile Kim leads the team with a philosophy inherited directly from her father, prioritizing honest communication and genuine connection with young patients. But she's built a team around her that shares those values.

• Dr. Maile Kim: Founder's daughter and current practice leader. Trained in pediatric dentistry and shaped by her father's approach of compassionate, direct communication with patients and their families.
• Dr. Chun: Recognized by patients and parents for patience and thoroughness. Dr. Chun takes time to explain procedures in ways that build confidence in young patients rather than rushing through appointments.
• Dr. Alexandria Hull: Trained at NYU, where she developed a particular focus on working with children with special needs. Dr. Hull has participated in outreach dental care trips to underserved communities in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, India, Costa Rica, and Bolivia, bringing dental services to populations with limited access to care.

The hygienists and support staff round out a team that parents consistently describe as kind and genuinely good with children, not just technically proficient but emotionally attuned to what kids need to feel safe in a dental chair.

Milestones and Track Record

• Founded in 1975 by Dr. Howard Kim, the first pediatric dentist to serve the windward side of O'ahu.
• Dr. Howard Kim practiced for 42 years, caring for thousands of children in the Kailua community before his passing.
• The practice has now been in continuous operation for nearly 50 years, spanning two generations of the Kim family.
• Dr. Alexandria Hull has completed dental outreach missions across six countries, extending the practice's commitment to underserved populations well beyond Kailua.

What Customers Say About Kim Pediatric Dentistry

Parents who bring their kids to Kim Pediatric Dentistry tend to describe the same experience: a staff that makes children feel genuinely comfortable, not just tolerated. The team's ability to turn a potentially stressful visit into something kids look forward to comes up repeatedly in how families talk about the practice.

My kids love Kim Pediatric Dentistry and love going to see their dentist! It is such a relaxed environment and so warm.

- Melissa Helentjaris

That warmth translates into real outcomes for kids who might otherwise develop lasting anxiety about dental care. Keri Leeson shared that a procedure performed by Dr. Chun was handled with patience and clear explanation, with a meaningful result for her daughter.

The procedure was so quick and it really boosted my daughter's confidence and trust when it comes to dentists.

- Keri Leeson

For parents navigating a child's very first dental appointment, the stakes feel high. A bad early experience can set the tone for years of avoidance. Dolores Jones described bringing both a two-year-old and a four-year-old for their first visits and walking out with a result many parents only hope for.

This was my 2 year old and 4 year olds first visit...there were no tears!

- Dolores Jones

The hygienists and dentists at Kim Pediatric Dentistry draw particular praise for making children feel comfortable during appointments, with Dr. Chun specifically noted for creating a positive experience for young patients and their families.

Location and Community in Kailua, HI

Kim Pediatric Dentistry's Kailua office sits at 642 Ulukahiki Street, Suite 308, inside the Weinberg Medical Plaza in Kailua, HI 96734. The location puts it within reach of families across the windward side of O'ahu, the same geographic community that Dr. Howard Kim set out to serve when he opened the practice in 1975. The practice also maintains a second office at the Castle Professional Center in Kaneohe, at 46-001 Kamehameha Highway, Suite 418, extending its reach further along the windward corridor.

Kailua is a close-knit community where word of mouth carries real weight, and a practice that has operated here for nearly 50 years has deep roots. Families who were patients of Dr. Howard Kim now bring their own children, creating a multigenerational connection that's rare in any healthcare setting. The windward side has seen considerable growth over the decades, and Kailua's real estate market reflects that, with home values appreciating at roughly 8.5% annually in recent years, though projections suggest a more moderate pace of around 3.8% annually going forward. That kind of community investment means more families putting down roots and looking for providers they can trust for the long term.

Beyond the local community, the practice's reach extends through outreach work. Dr. Hull's dental missions to underserved populations across Latin America, South Asia, and Central America reflect a broader sense of responsibility that runs through the team's culture.

Why Choose Kim Pediatric Dentistry in Kailua

A pediatric dental practice that has served the same community for nearly 50 years, founded by a pioneer and now led by his daughter, carries a kind of institutional knowledge that newer practices simply can't replicate. Dr. Maile Kim didn't just inherit a building and a patient list. She inherited a philosophy, a communication style, and a standard of care that her father spent 42 years building. The team she's assembled, including specialists like Dr. Hull with international outreach experience and Dr. Chun with a gift for building confidence in young patients, reflects that same standard.

For families in Kailua and across the windward side of O'ahu, Kim Pediatric Dentistry offers something that matters beyond clinical competence: a place where kids actually want to come back. That's not a small thing when you're trying to establish healthy dental habits that will last a lifetime.

Customer quotes shown above are from public Google reviews.