| |
The
History of Ergonomic Dental Technologies, Inc.
Dr. Stephen Harada began to develop his innovative line of
oral care products in 1996. At that point,
he had been in private practice over 20 years as a general
dentist in
San Francisco, California. That experience led him to recognize a
serious gap in the availability of products that enabled
his patients to maintain effective home dental care programs.
After 5 years of research, development, and testing, Dr.
Harada had created a range of dental hygiene products that
included the
Curvex,
Curvex II, and the
Curvex 1A
toothbrushes. He had also acquired the clinical evidence and
professional endorsements to prove their quality and
efficacy, and had been awarded the U.S. patents that
demonstrated their truly innovative designs.
In January, 2000, Dr. Harada founded Ergonomic Dental
Technologies, Inc. (EDT) to prepare for the commercial
launch of these products. He also began applying for global
patents so that EDT would be positioned to meet the oral
care needs of people throughout the world.
In 2004, EDT established a presence in the Japanese consumer
market through a relationship with AEON Group, the owner of
one of the largest general merchandise store chains in Japan. In the U.S., the
Curvex
product line was selected for use by the San Francisco
Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital and San Francisco's Laguna Honda Hospital, the nation’s largest
government-funded long-term assisted care facility.
Today, the
Curvex
product line is available through
Patterson Dental Supply, Inc.,
a leading national distributor of dental care products for
the professional market. In the US, practitioners and
consumers can also purchase the
Curvex,
Curvex II, and the
Curvex 1A through our
online store.
EDT’s products are manufactured
entirely in the U.S. at a facility in
Tennessee. In addition, all of our raw
materials are sourced locally and are
environmentally safe.
Board of Directors
Biographies
Stephen D. Harada D.D.S.
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board - EDT Dr. Stephen Harada has been in private dental practice in San Francisco for almost 30 years and is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the California Dental Association, and the San Francisco Dental Society. In both 2003 and 2004, he was named one of the “Nation’s Best Dentists” by the Consumer Resource Council. Dr. Harada graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and received his D.D.S. from the University of the Pacific (UOP) School of Dentistry.
Arthur A. Dugoni D.D.S., M.S.D.
Dean Emeritus and Professor of Orthodontics
University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni practiced orthodontics for nearly 40 years and, during that time, served as Dean of the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry for almost 30 years. In honor of his service and commitment, that school has been renamed the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, a distinction typically reserved only for posthumous recognition. Dr. Dugoni is a former President of both the ADA and the American Association of Dental Schools (now the American Dental Education Association). He is also a past Director and President of the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Dugoni graduated as class valedictorian from the College of Physicians and Surgeons (forerunner of University of the Pacific School of Dentistry).
W. Stephen Wilson J.D.
Partner - Tobin & Tobin
Mr. Wilson is a corporate law and real estate law member of the firm of Tobin & Tobin, California’s oldest law firm, specializing in transactional work. He is a member of the Business Law and Real Estate Sections of the California Bar Association. He has edited or co-authored a number of standard reference texts in his areas of concentration which are published by California Continuing Education of the Bar. Mr. Wilson has also served as a State Bar-appointed member of the CEB Advisory Board, and has lectured for that organization for many years. In the corporate area, Mr. Wilson has developed a specialty practice in the area of emerging companies in almost all aspects of their businesses. Mr. Wilson received a B.A. from Stanford University and a J.D. degree from Boalt Hall School of Law from the University of California at Berkeley.
Scientific Advisory Board
Christopher
Lines, D.D.S., M.S.
Founder - Lines Orofacial Specialists, PLC
Craig
D. Mukai, D.D.S.
Private practice, Periodontics
San Francisco, California
Richard Nathan, D.M.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor of Periodontology - University
of California, San Francisco, School
of Dentistry
Private practice, San Francisco,
California
Lionel
Traubman, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Board
Certified Pediatric Dentist
Private Practice, San Francisco,
California
Shannon Wong, D.D.S., M.S.
Associate Professor - Department of Endodontics, University of
the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Testimonials
"In addition to proper flossing, removing plaque through proper brushing is also crucial. Manual brushing works well if done properly and for this Daugherty likes to recommend the Curvex II toothbrush sold by Patterson Dental Supply. She said, “The angle of the brush head gets down and on top of the bracket” and that it is “very helpful” in terms of increasing brushing effectiveness. The brush head features a curved shape with tapered bristles and an angled handle to minimize damage to enamel and soft tissue."
Joann Daugherty RHA Working Around Orthodontics Dental Products Report The full article can be found here
“I
can categorically state that, having seen the Curvex and
Curvex II, these are truly innovative products designed with
a total understanding of patient needs, ability and dental
anatomy. I predict that they will gain wide acceptance
within our profession and materially assist our patients in
achieving good oral health.”
Shannon Wong, D.D.S.,
M.S.
Associate Professor -
Department of Endodontics
University of the
Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
In 30 years of private practice
and teaching periodontics at UCSF Dental School, the Curvex
Toothbrush is the first oral care device that I have
actively endorsed. All our patients are initially
given one to try and just about everyone of them very soon
ask for another to replace their old brush or even their
electric toothbrush. The effectiveness of a toothbrush
in many ways is determined by how motivated the patient is
to use it . . . and the bottom line is that folks just love
what it feels like to brush with the Curvex."
Richard Nathan, D.M.D.,
M.S.
Associate Professor -
Division of Periodontology
University of
California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry
Private practice, San Francisco,
California
While attending RDH Under One Roof in 2008 I hit my breaks at a booth displaying the most innovative brush I have seen. The Curvex brush, with a unique convex curve was created to access challenging areas of the mouth. As an educator for care providers for older persons, I envisioned the value of the design for use by a caregiver. Too often caregivers use a brush with extended bristles at the tip of the brush. For an aggressive brusher, or a sensitive client, this can be an uncomfortable experience. By introducing the Curvex and the Curvex II into long-term care, or any care facility, it is my opinion that efforts in oral health maintenance can become more effective and less of a challenge. This was done at the most recent RDHUOR. A project now known as Dental Impact began this year where attendees provided information to local groups with special needs. The Curvex brushes were a hit with all participants. The ultra soft bristles and dense presentation of bristles allows
gentle and effective movement around gums and teeth. With over thirty years of experience in the dental field, I cannot say that we have yet cured oral disease. I can say that innovation and a unique approach to oral care may move us closer to maintenance that is more comfortable. I will always introduce the Curvex and Curvex II to my elder clients, clients with or without dentures, their caregivers, and nursing students.
Janice H. Siegel, RDH, BS 2895 Randall Blvd Naples, FL
“The Curvex II is brilliant in
design and perfectly suited for cleaning the insides of the
upper and lower anterior or front teeth. It can also
function as an extremely effective tongue brush to help
remove halitosis. There is absolutely no doubt these will
aid patients in their efforts to adequately maintain an
acceptable level of oral hygiene.”
Craig D. Mukai, D.D.S.
Private practice, Periodontics
San Francisco,
California
“I have always kept a lookout
for an improvement in the current line of oral hygiene
devices that would better enable the orthodontic patient to
clean more effectively. Basically, all current toothbrushes
are the same design, with a straight handle, straight head
and 90-degree bristle array, with the only improvement being
designer “bells & whistles” and corresponding higher costs.
There are several areas of the mouth that the current line
of oral hygiene devices cannot easily access and clean, and
this problem is magnified several-fold in patients wearing
braces, or bridgework. When the Curvex and Curvex II were
brought to my attention, I was speechless. Any dentist
should immediately recognize that these radically improved
designs will revolutionize the oral hygiene industry. What
is particularly stunning to me is that these products are
ingenious not only in their form and function but in their
simplicity and ease of use. I would recommend them to
everyone for everyday use.”
Christopher Lines, D.D.S.,
M.S.
Founder
Line Orofacial
Specialists, PLC
“I believe the novel handle
design and radial bristle array of Dr. Stephen Harada’s
innovative Curvex II can be a substantial contribution to
the health care of the smallest children, including those
with handicaps and special needs.”
Lionel Traubman, D.D.S.,
M.S.D.
Board Certified
Pediatric Dentist
Private practice, San Francisco,
California
“I have tried every trick in the
book, including Sonicare®, to rid myself of the mandibular
anterior lingual calculus. Only the Curvex II was able to
accomplish this. Also the Curvex toothbrush is uniquely
contoured to get the best angle for molar sulcular
cleansing. It reaches comfortably further back than any
other toothbrush that I’ve ever tried.”
Jon Opper, D.D.S.
Private practice, San Francisco,
California
“I especially like its soft
bristles. The new design with angled handle and brush head
tapered on both ends helps to reach the lingual sides of the
teeth, especially the anterior teeth, more effectively. The
Curvex is great to reach the distal aspects of the third
molars. It is also effective for cleaning a big gap created
by a missing tooth.”
Kim Tran, R.D.H.
Private practice, San Francisco,
California
“I have used and am very
impressed with the design and function of the Curvex and
Curvex II. The innovative curvature of the Curvex allows one
to access even deep cingulums of anteriors and the linguals
of those often missed molars. The Curvex II is great for
those crowded and long anteriors. I feel certain that
patients can easily improve their oral hygiene with these
toothbrushes, making my job and their appointments much
easier.”
Susan Urell, R.D.H.
Private practice, San Francisco,
California
|
