The appointment of orthodontic industry veteran Dale Herman follows KLOwen’s closing of a $5M Series seed funding round, and comes ahead of the company’s full-scale launch.
Brandon Owen, DDS, MS, inventor, founder, and CEO of KLOwen Braces Inc, announced the appointment of Dale Herman to the post of chief commercial officer.
“Dale’s leadership on our team is huge. He brings tremendous knowledge of the orthodontic industry and relationships throughout the profession. He is a diamond level find for KLOwen. In him we have a professional orthodontic veteran with management, team building, sales and marketing expertise. His strategic acumen, energy and effective execution processes have already proven invaluable to KLOwen,” said Owen, who was awarded the 2019 OrthoInnovator by the American Association of Orthodontists.
Herman brings over two decades of orthodontic industry experience to the post. This year, he has been consulting with the KLOwen team readying for a full-scale go-to-market launch this summer. According to a press release from the company, Herman provides expertise in strategic planning, team building, customer experience, and sales force management along with marketing advisement.
The announcement of the Herman appointment comes following KLOwen’s closing of a $5M Series seed funding round and just prior to full-scale launch of the KLOwen system which includes the new Gen4 (G4) IDB tray.
Soft launched just months prior to the onset of the pandemic, KLOwen has been focused on growing a steady national customer base amongst orthodontists seeking to scale digital worktlow throughout their practice with the use of custom modular treatment patented by KLOwen Braces. Designed and developed by Owen, orthodontists and scientific advisers using the KLOwen system are reporting 30-40% shorter treatment times with fewer office visits than traditional braces without sacrificing clinically excellent results, according to the company.
“For many years I have been convicted as to what custom treatment could do to elevate fixed solutions within an orthodontic practice. With today’s investment in digital workflow by orthodontists, KLOwen is a brilliant way to integrate and scale digital custom to every patient, every day. After learning from Brandon what he has created, it is exciting to be a part of a digital revolution that will provide excellent clinical outcomes for patients, but also allows our providers to meet today’s consumer where they are in terms of their lifestyles, convenience and time. This solution is so smart! I have been compelled by Brandon as a brilliant clinician, but he is also a humble steward of orthodontics, a wonderful leader, and has been refreshing to work with. This opportunity to work with a wonderful person and team at KLOwen is exactly what I have been looking for,” said Herman.
Developed by Owen, the KLOwen System reportedly works on any comprehensive case including those requiring functional appliances, expansion, or surgery. After an intraoral scan is taken, the KLOwen system employs DIBS software to map bracket placement and select from of a kit of 27 patented pieces to fit each tooth. 3D-printed transfer trays then allow brackets to be placed and bonded precisely in the optimal position as designed with the software for complete 7-7 custom treatment. According to the company, KLOwen also has a unique slot to wire relationship that allows for complete and accurate wire expression, providing true straightwire treatment. KLOwen solution is designed to mitigate or eliminate the need for wire-bending and bracket-repositioning.
