On January 18th, Kaniela Phipps, 12 year-old son of Pinky Phipps, was thrown from the back of a truck.  The boy was immediately flow to a Honolulu hospital where he was treated for head injuries and diagnosed with a fracture to his skull.

After two months, the young Phipps was still having problems with his jaw.  In need of a follow up doctor’s visit in order to return to school, Phipps visited WHCHC’s Keiki Health Center.  One of our pediatricians, Dr. Craig Stevenson, reviewed the hospital’s medical notes and conducted a thorough exam.  During the exam, Dr. Stevenson discovered that the boy could not open his mouth completely.  Hence, he sought the advice of our pediatric dentist, Dr. Ginelle Sakima-Roberts.

The two doctors suspected an undiagnosed jaw fracture and ordered a CT scan which revealed only the healing skull fractures.  Dr. Sakima-Roberts persisted, and then personally contacted Dr. John Stover, an oral maxillofacial surgeon who agreed to see the child.  Dr. Stover confirmed a jaw fracture that caused the boy’s back molar to become infected which prevented him from opening his mouth.  The tooth was removed, the infection went away, and Phipps is no longer in pain thanks to the persistence and skills of caring providers.