Jeffrey W. Jones Elected CEO of Biolase Technology.

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 18, 1998--BIOLASE Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:BLTI), a provider of laser-based advanced cosmetic, aesthetic, dental and surgical products, announced today that Jeffrey W. Jones had been elected president and chief executive officer of BIOLASE effective Nov. 27, 1998.

Jones will succeed Donald A. La Point, who will remain with the company as executive vice president with principal responsibility for international business development. Jones was also elected a director of BIOLASE.

Jones has been president and chief executive officer of HGM Medical Lasers, which is based in Salt Lake City. Jones has been affiliated with HGM Medical Lasers since 1986 and previously served that company as its director of Marketing and Sales, director-Corporate Development and General Manager.

Privately owned, HGM Medical Lasers is a manufacturer of medical lasers utilized in ophthalmologic, dental and aesthetic applications. Prior to his twelve years in the medical laser industry, Jones was a certified public accountant and consultant with Ernst & Whinney. Jones graduated with high honors from the University of Utah.

Commenting on the election of Jones, Federico Pignatelli, chairman of the BIOLASE Board of Directors, said, "Jeff Jones is a strong, intelligent and experienced industry executive who is ideally equipped to lead BIOLASE into the next phase of its development.

"He brings to BIOLASE broad-based knowledge of the medical laser business, including the dental and cosmetic surgery segments, which should be invaluable as BIOLASE moves to commercialize its unique technologies that have been the subjects of recent FDA clearances. The new BIOLASE management team, headed by Jeff Jones and Don La Point, who is remaining with BIOLASE as Executive Vice President, will, I am convinced, forge BIOLASE into a leading competitor in the worldwide medical laser market."

Addressing the opportunities and challenges presented at BIOLASE, Jones stated, "BIOLASE presents a remarkable opportunity, and I am eager for the chance to lead this company.

"In both the aesthetic and dental markets, BIOLASE has advanced proprietary technologies that have been translated into clinically and technologically superior products that are just now becoming commercially available. Through these technologies and products, BIOLASE can be propelled into a leadership position in the medical laser industry."

BIOLASE Technology, Inc., based in San Clemente, manufactures and markets advanced cosmetic, aesthetic, dental and surgical products, including laser systems and HydroKinetic(TM) surgical cutting systems, and develops specialized biomaterials for dentistry and other medical specialties.

Last month, BIOLASE received FDA clearance for market Millennium(TM), a HydroKinetic(TM) system utilizing laser-energized, atomized water droplets as high-speed cutting particles, for dental hard tissue applications; Millennium(TM) had previously received clearance for soft tissue applications.

In mid-August, the company launched a home product, the LazerSmile(TM) Toothbrush, an optical toothbrush that uses a light source to enhance whitening agents in a special toothgel compound developed by BIOLASE.

In July of this year, the company received FDA clearance to market SkinLaser, which is based on the technology acquired from Laser SkinToner, Inc. earlier in 1998. SkinLaser is the first non-invasive skin rejuvenation laser designed to reduce wrinkles and is being clinically test for removal of stretch marks.

In July 1997, BIOLASE received clearance from the FDA to market DermaLase(TM), a laser-based HydroKinetic(TM) surgical tissue cutting system for a broad range of dermatological and general surgical soft tissue applications.