Our Team
At Kuwata Pan Dent, we always strive to produce the highest quality restorations, which is why we only hire the best in the industry. Many members on our staff have been with the lab for 10, 20, and even 30 years. Our clients can be confident that these employees have attained the highest level of expertise in their fields. Please take a moment to learn a little more about these key team members.
Yukio, CDT, RDT
President
Date of Hire: 1981
Hobby: On and off-road motorcycling
Inspired by: Historical heroes who changed the world
Likes: Reading and studying Japanese history
Motto: “Fall seven times, stand up eight” – Japanese Proverb
Yukio is especially proud of the fact that he and Kuwata Pan Dent have helped people from different parts of the world make a good life for themselves and their families here in the United States. He is sincere in his desire to contribute to a better quality of life for not only his staff, but our customers and their patients as well.
Yoshinobu, CDT, RDT
Vice President
Date of Hire: 1980
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Hobby: Golf
Favorite Food: Sushi
Likes: Good wine and single malt scotch
Raised in: Japan
Yoshi takes great pride when our work makes doctors and patients happy. He sees negative feedback as an opportunity to learn and positive feedback as motivation. His dream is to retire to Hawaii.
Yojhaira
Director of Finance & Human Resources
Date of Hire: 2018
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Hobbies: Hiking, ping pong, volleyball, and wine connoisseur
Likes: Traveling, reading, browsing through lifestyle and fashion blogs
Pet Peeve: Unkind people
Yojhaira takes pride in her Dominican heritage and being a New Yorker. She cares for the well-being of those around her and will always pitch in when needed. Her family is her pillar and helping others is her inspiration.
Maria
Administration
Date of Hire: 1983
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Hobby: Sight seeing
Raised In: Livingston, NJ
Pets: 2 dogs: Valentina & Angelina
Favorite Quote: “When one door closes, another one opens.” –Alexander Graham Bell
Maria is proud of her son, who always makes her laugh. She’s a Kean University graduate and enjoys 80’s music, cheesecake and anything with coconut. She seeks peace of mind and happiness in life.
Tsutomu, RDT
Denture Supervisor
Date of Hire: 1991
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Hobby: Fishing
Raised In: Tokyo, Japan
Favorite Colors: White and blue
Tsutomu is our Man Friday, a well-rounded technician who handles everything from chairside denture conversion to diagnostic wax-ups, and specializes in implant dentures.
Masahiro, RDT
Senior Ceramist
Date of Hire: 1991
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Hobby: Skiing and hiking
Favorite Sport: Mogul skiing
Favorite Food: Japanese and Korean
Masahiro grew up in Hokkaido, Japan, where his love of winter sports was born. What does he want from life? “Lots of snow!”
Naoya, RDT
Senior Ceramist
Date of Hire: 1995
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Hobby: Motorcycles and guitars
Favorite Color: A-2
Favorite Food: Fried chicken
Favorite Music: 80’s heavy metal
Although he shares his home with many different pets, Naoya is truly a cat person. He was raised in beautiful Hokkaido, Japan where he learned to love and respect nature.
Fumi, RDT
Senior Ceramist
Date of Hire: 1999
Hobbies: Fishing and snowboarding
Likes: Sushi, rock music and the color white
Fan of: Japanese soccer
Raised In: Yokosuka, Japan
Fumi beams with pride when he talks about his three young sons . Inspired by nature, his future goal is to travel the world.
Jun, CDT, RDT
Porcelain Supervisor
Date of Hire: 1999
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Hobbies: Fishing, mixed martial arts and watching movies.
Raised In: Tokyo, Japan
Pets: His Chihuahua Bruno and his Iron Horse
Motto: “Never give up.”
Jun would like to enjoy his entire life in the company of nice people.
Mary Jo
Administration
Date of Hire: 1999
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Hobbies: Does shopping count?
Pet Peeve: Impolite people
Fan of: New Jersey Devils
Favorite Food: Italian, of course!
“MJ” was raised in Parsippany, NJ and really enjoys the Jersey Shore. She hopes for happiness in life, and if life is fair, she will surely find it. Mary Jo is a hard worker who brings smiles wherever she goes with her terrific sense of humor.
Elizabeth
Model
Date of Hire: 2000
Hobbies: Reading, listening to Christian music and road trips
Pet Peeve: People who don’t follow instructions
Motto: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Favorite Food: Rice and beans
Elizabeth came from Puerto Rico in 1985 and has 25 years of experience as a model technician. She loves her job and hopes that her children will go to college and find fulfillment in professions of their choice. Elizabeth is happiest when she does something right and the other person has a great big smile!
Yong, CDT
Wax and Metal Supervisor
Date of Hire: 2000
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Hobbies: Snowboarding, water skiing and basketball
Fan of: J-E-T-S go, go, go!
Pet Peeve: Short margins
Motto: "I’d rather aim high and miss my mark than aim low and make it.”
Yong takes pride in how dental technology can enhance a person’s look and make a difference in their lives. He is inspired to be the best he can be by positive feedback from doctors, patients and his peers.
Anny
Ceramist
Date of Hire: 2002
Hobbies: Sleeping and spending time with family
Favorite Color: Fuchsia
Raised in: Newark, NJ
Likes: Pasta, pizza, softball and music of all types
Anny is motivated by her children and hopes for a life free from worry and fear. She really loves her job and takes pride in the artistry that goes into making each crown.
Atsushi, CDT, RDT
Crown & Bridge
Date of Hire: 2002
Hobbies: Cooking and wine pairing
Raised in: Osaka, Japan
Fan of: Jazz, bossa nova, reggae and classical music.
Atsushi shuns negative, self-limiting thoughts and seeks contentment by recognizing all the good in his life.
Kasia, CDT
Ceramist
Date of Hire: 2003
Hobbies: Volleyball, dance and boating
Favorite sport: Skiing and ice skating
Pets: Miniature Schnauzer
Favorite Quote: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” –Benjamin Franklin
Kasia is a native of Poland and a graduate of the New York City College of Technology. Her goal is to live a rewarding life full of learning, growth and creativity and to know that what she’s doing is worthwhile.
Maite, CDT
Denture Supervisor
Date of Hire: 2003
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Hobbies: Spending time with her baby and water sports
Fan of: Johnny Depp
Favorite Foods: Sushi, Mexican and Italian
Favorite Quote: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” –Albert Einstein
Maite was born in Venezuela where she graduated from the Dental Institute in Caracas. She loves her two cats, and joyously states that her baby is the best thing that ever happened to her!
Diana
Customer Service Supervisor
Date of Hire: 2007
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Fan of: NY Yankees
Inspired to do good by: Her three Children
Likes: Danceable music, baseball and the color purple
Favorite Food: Seafood
Diana takes pride in her ability to multi-task, particularly being able to work and care for her children, while juggling many other responsibilities. She grew up in Paterson, NJ.
Lily, CDT
Denture
Date of Hire: 2010
Raised In: Dominican Republic
Likes: Lasagna, baseball and the color green
Pet Peeve: Tardiness
Lily receives her inspiration to do good from her faith and the company of positive people. She is proud to be a dental technician and is exceptionally proud to be the Mom of a beautiful and smart girl.
Blaze
Digital Coordinator
Date of Hire: August 2014
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From: Tampa, FL
Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
Quote: "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." –Neil DeGrasse Tyson
When Blaze isn’t helping customers with their digital scans, he can be found practicing archery or hiking a nearby trail.
Seiji, RDT, CDT, MDT
Provisionals, Ceramist
Date of Hire: 2014
Hobby: Playing guitar
Favorite Music: Rock
Likes: Rice, natto and the color navy blue
Raised In: Japan
Seiji is a highly accomplished dental technician. In addition to his education in Japan, he has achieved both his CDT and MDT certifications!