Dr. Charles Sugiyama

Dr. Charles Sugiyama was born in Kohala, on the northern tip of the Big Island, to Dr. Francis and Fumiko Sugiyama. His father was a dentist and mother a nurse. He graduated valedictorian from Kohala High School. He earned a electrical engineering degree from Oregon State University in 1980 and moved to California. In California, he worked as an engineer at the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Missing Hawaii, he returned and was employed at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. In a few months he realized he needed to do more with his life, and followed his father’s footsteps into dentistry. After attending the University of Hawaii for a year he was accepted at the University of Iowa Dental School.

After graduating in 1988, Dr. Sugiyama settled in Hilo and practiced with the Kam Dental Group and Hilo Family Dental. In 1997 he established his own practice at the present location.

Dr. Sugiyama enjoys the quiet life style of the Big Island. He has trekked most of the trails on the island and some over seas. Photos in the office display a few of these treks.

Realizing the world is a changing place. Dr. Sugiyama has attended continuing education classes from the Seattle Institute for Advance Dental Education, is a member of the Richard V. Tucker Gold Restorative Study Club, and member of the Terry Tanaka Study Club. 

Education and Training:

• 1974 University of Hawaii Dental Hygiene School AA Diploma

Certifications:

• 1974 California State Dental Hygiene Board and Licensure
• 1974 Hawaii State Dental Hygiene Board and Licensure
• 1998 Local Anesthesia/Curettage/Nitrous Oxide course at Sacramento City College Continuing Education
• 1998 Western Regional Examining Board at Oregon Health Sciences School of Dentistry (Portland, Oregon)
• 1998 Arizona Dental Hygiene Exam/License
• 2001 Texas Dental Hygiene Exam and Licensure
• 2001 Sealant Certification at Pima Community College (Tucson, Arizona)

Professional Associations:

• American Dental Hygienists’ Association
• CDHA California Dental Hygienists Association 1997-1998
• SADHS Southern Arizona Dental Hygienist’ Society 1999-2001
• TDHA, Texas (El Paso) Dental Hygienists Association 2001-2002
• HDHA Hawaii Dental Hygienists’ Association 2002-present

Gloria Wagner, Registered Dental Hygienist

Gloria Wagner, RDH, was raised in northern California and moved to Hawaii in 1970 to attend the University of Hawaii. She graduated from the UH Dental Hygiene School in 1974. She initially started practicing dental hygiene by splitting her time between a periodontal and a general dentistry practice in Honolulu.

For the next 20 years, she also had the opportunity to substitute in a number of general dentistry offices on Oahu. In 1997 she activated her California license to substitute in the San Diego area. After a year in San Diego, she moved on to practice in Tucson, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas; accumulating the latest technology skills and maximum amount of continuing education courses along the way.

In 2002 she joined Dr. Sugiyama’s practice in Hilo after a family move to the area. Gloria’s professional goal is to educate patients how to obtain and maintain maximum dental health. Her skills include an expanded periodontal background and incorporate a periodontal maintenance program and non-surgical periodontal therapies. She is updated on the latest dental services and products.