Dr Ryo Hamanaka will also direct the company’s Experimental Applications Group to develop and validate new orthodontic solutions.
Universal Orthodontic Lab has appointed Dr Ryo Hamanaka as chief clinical officer and head of the Experimental Applications Group.
In his dual role, Hamanaka will direct clinical strategy and oversee the Experimental Applications Group, an internal initiative focused on developing and validating new orthodontic solutions. He will collaborate with doctors, scientists, and industry partners to connect clinical practice with dental laboratory applications.
Hamanaka brings decades of clinical expertise to the role, having previously served as a professor of orthodontics at Nagasaki University. According to the company, his leadership is expected to accelerate clinical validation, improve patient outcomes, and drive innovation across its product and service portfolio.
“Dr Hamanaka represents the rare combination of world-class clinician, educator, and innovator,” says Joseph Kim, CEO of Universal Orthodontic Lab, in a release. “As orthodontics evolves, laboratories must be led by individuals who understand both the science and the day-to-day realities of patient care. His appointment reflects our commitment to leading the industry at the intersection of clinical rigor and experimental discovery.”
“I’m excited to join Universal Lab at a time when technology, clinical insight, and innovation are converging,” says Hamanaka, in a release. “The opportunity to lead clinical strategy while exploring novel applications and predictable delivery of care allows us to rethink what’s possible for orthodontists and, ultimately, for patients.”
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