Meet the Founder

Dr. Richard Downs, D.D.S., F.A.G.D., F.I.C.O.I., D-GMDIA, D-ASBA, is a retired practitioner whose career encompasses a comprehensive focus on advanced dental disciplines, including implantology, dental sleep medicine, cosmetic and neuromuscular dentistry, orthodontics, periodontology, and endodontics. His contributions to dental science extend to ongoing research into the interplay of volatile organic compounds and viral factors in periodontitis, particularly emphasizing cytokine immune responses and their modulation through ozone, hypochlorous acid, and chlorine dioxide. This research underpins Oracare Company’s (www.oracareproducts.com) product development efforts, specializing in advanced oral care solutions.

Dr. Downs' educational background has a foundation in chemistry and dentistry. His academic journey began with scholarship-supported studies in chemistry (1967–1969), earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from the University of Iowa in 1971. He attained his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in 1975 from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry while enrolled in the HR-2 military scholarship. His professional trajectory includes service as a Navy dental officer at the Great Lakes Naval Base, followed by forty-plus years in private practice.

An active participant in professional dental organizations, Dr. Downs holds Diplomate credentials in the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and The Global Mini-Dental Implant Association. He is also certified in Nightlase Non-Surgical Gentle Laser Lift Airway Therapy called NightLase. He has achieved Fellowship status with the Academy of General Dentistry, the Misch International Implant Institute, and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

He served as Vice President of the Global Mini Dental Implant Association. Furthermore, his affiliations span a range of bodies, including past and present memberships in the American Dental Association, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and the Academy of General Dentistry, among others.

Dr. Downs has published in dental literature and education. He has written a number one top-selling book on facial and airway development; he has also edited the Iowa Academy of General Dentistry newsletter and served as the IAGD president. His lectures address various advanced topics, including the evolution of dental implantology, mechanisms of nitric oxide in salivary systems, halitosis diagnosis, the epigenetic development of facial beauty, and periodontal inflammatory pathways.

His entrepreneurial ventures reflect a commitment to innovation in dental and sleep medicine. Oracare Products exemplifies this by developing cutting-edge chlorine dioxide-based oral care solutions, such as the "Oracare" and “Ortho Protect” mouth rinses. He also founded USA-Guard for products focused on nasal airway health. Additional initiatives include Designs4Dental, the Dental-Chiropractic Collaborative, and Sleep Balance Academy, platforms aimed at fostering interdisciplinary collaboration for managing obstructive sleep apnea.

Dr. Downs is also dedicated to philanthropy, evidenced by the establishment of the Haiti International Dental Institute, a charitable implant teaching and treatment facility. His initiative to create an online sleep apnea testing and resource platform, Online Home Sleep Study (at www.onlinehomesleepstudy.com), underscores his commitment to accessible, integrative healthcare solutions.

This synthesis of clinical expertise, academic leadership, and entrepreneurial innovation positions Dr. Downs as a thought leader in the intersection of advanced dental practices, interdisciplinary healthcare, and patient-centered innovation.