ABOUT TDO
Built from within the specialty. For the specialty.
TDO was not designed by software engineers who studied endodontists. It was built by an endodontist who understood that no existing software worked the way a specialty practice actually works.
THE ORIGIN
It started with a 50% failure rate.
Early in his career, Dr. Gary Carr was troubled by the fact that endodontic surgeries had a 50 percent failure rate. Working with mentor Dr. Terry Tanaka, he undertook a microscopic and ultra-structural study of surgical failure using fresh human cadavers.
The study identified two primary causes. The first was inappropriate surgical instruments, which led to the development of a radically different system of microsurgical tools. The second was poor visibility during retro-filling placement, a problem that could be solved with a high-magnification microscope.
Dr. Carr began using the surgical operating microscope in endodontics. He was met with skepticism, despite microscopes being standard practice in neurosurgery, micro-vascular surgery, and other specialties. It took 15 years of lectures, training, and workshops through PERF to see microscopic endodontics adopted on a widespread scale. Today it is required training in postgraduate programs worldwide.
Excellence does not come easy, and humans are surprisingly resistant to change even when all evidence points to the need for it.
HOW TDO WAS BORN
The software came from the practice.
In the late 1990s, Dr. Carr searched for practice management software built for endodontists. Nothing existed. General dental software ignored the workflows, imaging needs, and referral dynamics unique to the specialty. So he built his own.
Beta testing begins.
The first version of TDO was tested by 30 endodontists drawn from PERF faculty and colleagues - clinicians who could stress-test the software in real specialty practices and provide direct feedback.
Commercial launch.
After two years of intensive beta testing and iteration, TDO launched commercially as the first practice management system designed exclusively for endodontic practices.
Scale and evolution.
Luiz Motta was appointed CEO, bringing operational discipline to the platform. Under his leadership, TDO grew its user base, expanded its feature set, and began the multi-year effort to build TDOS - the cloud-native successor.
TODAY
Built by specialists. For specialists.
In 2024, TDO was acquired by Valsoft Corporation, a Montreal-based holding company that acquires and grows vertical-market software businesses. Valsoft's model is long-term ownership - not private equity-style flipping - which means TDO continues to operate with the same team, the same focus, and the same commitment to endodontics.
FOUNDERDr. Gary Carr
Founder and Advisor
Dr. Carr introduced the surgical operating microscope to endodontics, founded PERF, and built TDO from his own clinical practice. He continues to advise the company on product direction and clinical relevance.
Luiz Motta
General Manager
Luiz was appointed CEO in 2012 and has led the company through its largest period of growth. He oversees product development, operations, and the ongoing build of TDOS - TDO's cloud-native platform.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
What we believe.
We believe endodontists today have less time and are under more pressure than ever before.
We believe the endodontics specialty is widely misunderstood, and that part of our job is educating people about what we do.
We believe that treating the whole patient rather than a single tooth results in better outcomes for both our patients and ourselves.
We believe that patients are willing to pay more for exceptional care, and that includes educating our patients so they can make informed decisions.
We believe that young clinicians are the future of our specialty and that it is our responsibility to mentor them and help them establish quality-focused practices.
We believe that endodontists today want and need a community where they can learn from each other, grow, and be inspired.
We believe that satisfied patients and referral sources are the best way to build a practice, and that referral loyalty is the natural result of providing exceptional care.
We believe that by working together we can raise the bar in our profession, improve our patients' quality of life, and become better clinicians.
OUR VALUES
The commitments behind every product decision.
Excellence
We hold ourselves to the same standard our users hold themselves to in the operatory. That means reliable software, thorough documentation, and support that actually solves problems.
Innovation
We stay ahead so our users never fall behind. From ePrescribing to cloud-native architecture, we build what endodontists will need next - not just what they ask for today.
Integrity
We are honest about what our software does and does not do. We do not oversell, we do not hide limitations, and we do not make promises we cannot keep.
Service
Our support team has been accessible and responsive since 1998. We believe that great software means nothing without people who stand behind it and help you get the most from it.
LEARN MOREThe story is in the software.
The best way to understand what makes TDO different is to see it working in a practice like yours.