Orthodontics in Hawaii- Wilson V. Board of Dental Examiners | Tooth Or Dare Podcast with Toothlife.Irene

"Well-behaved women seldom make history."

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Meet Dr. Amanda Wilson, a San Francisco native whose journey in dentistry has taken her from the heart of the Bay Area to the beautiful shores of Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Wilson earned her dental degree from UCSF Dental School and went on to achieve her Master of Dental Science and Orthodontics Certification at the University of Connecticut. With over a decade of clinical experience, she has completed thousands of orthodontic cases, both fixed and removable.

Driven by a passion for teaching and mentoring, Dr. Wilson transitioned into corporate dentistry, where she has spent the past few years as a Dental Director and Consultant for both national and international orthodontic companies. Her work focuses on innovative areas such as early treatment, functional appliances, aligners, and tele-dentistry.

Dr. Amanda Wilson made big waves in Hawaii’s orthodontic world, not just in the clinic but also in the law! Back in 2005, she helped push for a bill (Act 121) that temporarily allowed orthodontists and other dental specialists to skip the usual state dental exam and get licensed based on their credentials. This was a big deal because at the time, Hawaii was changing its licensing exam and didn’t have a clear process in place.

How She Got Involved

• Dr. Wilson lobbied for and helped shape the bill because she saw a gap in the system—qualified orthodontists couldn’t practice in Hawaii due to outdated licensing rules.
• Act 121 created a temporary shortcut for dental specialists to get licensed if they had the right education and experience.

Her Own Battle for Licensure

• In 2005, Dr. Wilson applied for her own Hawaii dental license using this new law.
• But the Hawaii Board of Dental Examiners denied her application because they said her graduate training (residency) didn’t count as actual "practice" under the law.
• Even though she had worked independently in California for 10 months, Hawaii required three full years of practice outside of school.

Her Fight Against the Board

• She took the Board to court, arguing:
  • Her residency training was in real-world dentistry and should count.
  • She helped write the law, so it should have included her situation.
  • The Board’s decision was unfair and possibly biased against her.
• The court sided with the Board, saying their interpretation of the law made sense.

Why This Matters

• Even though Dr. Wilson wasn’t granted her license, her efforts paved the way for discussions about better licensing options for specialists.
• This highlighted flaws in Hawaii’s system—showing how tricky it is for well-trained orthodontists to get licensed, even when they’re fully qualified.
• While the law was short-lived (it was automatically repealed when the new licensing exam was introduced in late 2005), it gave other specialists a brief opportunity to practice in Hawaii without unnecessary barriers.

 

In 2016, Dr. Wilson saw a gap in orthodontic coaching services tailored for General Dentists and took the initiative to fill that need. She founded her own orthodontic management and coaching company, StraightSmile Solutions®, to provide guidance and support to her peers.

Now living in Honolulu with her family, Dr. Amanda enjoys the vibrant local culture and outdoor adventures. When she’s not working with clients around the globe, you can find her surfing, hiking, or leading her Cadette Girl Scout troop. She’s also a proud USA Swimming Of