KKV’s Dental Program - Transitions 2020

Dr Samuel Ishimura retired in July 2020 after serving 16 years, as the Hawaii Regional Director for the NYU Langone Dental Medicine’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency program.

Dr Ishimura graduated with a BA degree in Microbiology from the University of Hawaii and a DDS degree from Temple University.  He obtained his board certification in Dental Prosthodontics while serving in the US  Army Dental Corps.  During the time he worked, he had been a Consultant Prosthodontist in Saudi Arabia, a Director of the General Practice Residency at Queen’s Medical Center, and a Director of the Dental Practices at Hawaii Dental Service.  

During the time Dr Ishimura was the Hawaii Regional Director for the NYU Langone Dental Medicine’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Residency program, he was instrumental in expanding the number of residency training sites which includes the outer islands of Maui and Hawaii.  He has graduated 16 residency classes, for a total of 153 residents of those 33% of the residents went on to do a specialty to include pediatric dentistry and endodontics.  The other remaining dental residents are practicing general dentistry in private practice or a community health center.  Over 30 residents continue to practice and serve the community of Hawaii to provide high quality dental care. 

Dr Ishimura’s legacy of education and dedication to dentistry continues to inspire dentists to give back to the local community.

Dr. Christopher Nakamura was born and raised in Colorado. He was awarded his D.D.S. degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Upon completing dental school, Dr. Chris completed an Advanced Education in Dentistry residency at Kokua Kalihi Valley. After working with children during his dental career, Dr. Chris realized he wanted to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry. He received his specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry from NYU Lutheran Medical Center in Maine and Arizona, serving as Chief Resident. 

Dr. Chris then returned to Hawaii and his extended ohana. Since returning, he has enjoyed volunteering in the community as a board member of the Hawaii Dental Association Foundation and is actively involved in the Give Kids a Smile Program. As a Board Certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Chris is excited to return to the Kokua Kalihi Valley Dental Clinic to help the keiki become a part of our dental family!