Dr. Sophia Berkenpas completed her undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota, where she then went on to earn her doctorate of dental surgery (DDS). She completed her post-graduate training at Hawaii Island Community Health Center (HICHC) in West Hawaii, earning her Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) certificate from NYU Langone Hospitals. Through this advanced training and mentorship, she was able to further her clinical abilities and foster a drive to give back to the community through service in public health. Dr. Berkenpas is passionate about providing patient-centric care with an emphasis on communication and oral health education. She enjoys building relationships with patients and empowering them to become active participants in their dental healthcare. She believes that thorough, thoughtful and high quality dental care should be accessible to all people, and has been able to realize this commitment through continued service in community health. She practices as a staff dentist and AEGD attending at HICHC East where she strives to help cultivate the same supportive environment that she experienced as a resident.

Dr. Yamashita earned his D.M.D from the Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in 2014. After graduating from dental school, Dr Yamashita returned home to Oahu to complete his hospital based GPR at the Queens Medical Center from 2014-2015. In the Fall of 2015 he moved to Hilo on the Big Island to serve out his service obligation as a Native Hawaiian Healthcare Scholar at the now HICHC East dental clinics (originally Bay Clinic). During his General Practice Residency, Dr Yamashita gained valuable experience in all aspects of dentistry. Being at the hospital, and the only trauma center for Hawaii, Dr Yamashita learned how to manage/treat medically complex patients, treated patients under general anesthesia alongside an anesthesiologist (placing Naso endotracheal tubes, LMA and IVs), and working alongside Oral Surgeons to reduce simple/complex facial fractures. Dr Yamashita has spent the last 10 years sharing his knowledge and experience as an attending general dentist with the NYU AEGD program. He enjoys interacting with new residents and aims to create a supportive work environment Outside of the clinic, Dr Yamashita enjoys spending time with family/friends and going to the beach. Committed to giving back, Dr. White actively takes part in outreach programs including the Big Island’s Give Kids A Smile program and the HK Sealant Program. He is also deeply involved in organized dentistry and was recently elected President of the Hawaiʻi County Dental Society. Outside of the clinic, Dr. White enjoys spending time with his wife, exploring film photography, and taking in the natural beauty that Hawaiʻi Island has to offer.

Dr. Erin White is a proud Oʻahu native who grew up in Maryland and has always been passionate about serving the community through comprehensive, patient-centered care. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2021 and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency through NYU Langone in 2022 on the Big Island. Since then, he has been an attending staff dentist at Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center (HICHC) East Clinics, where he enjoys all aspects of general dentistry and providing high-quality care to patients of all ages. Committed to giving back, Dr. White actively takes part in outreach programs including the Big Island’s Give Kids A Smile program and the HK Sealant Program. He is also deeply involved in organized dentistry and was recently elected President of the Hawaiʻi County Dental Society. Outside of the clinic, Dr. White enjoys spending time with his wife, exploring film photography, and taking in the natural beauty that Hawaiʻi Island has to offer.