In his free time, he enjoys attending sporting events (Go USC Trojans, Oakland As, Phoenix Suns, and New York Giants!!) and playing golf and softball. He also continues to volunteer his time at all Special Olympics events by doing dental screenings and making mouthguards for the athletes. He also holds full privileges and is a volunteer teaching attending at the Queens Medical Center Dental Residency. He is a member of the American Dental Association and serves on the Hawaii Dental Association Education Committee.
He enjoys getting to know each and every one of his patients in order to treat them on an individual basis and developing a conservative and preventive plan to better sustain a healthy oral environment.
Dr. Ertel was born and raised in Southern California graduating from Whittier College with a bachelors degree in Chemistry. He began his dental education at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry earning his D.D.S. in 1980. Dr. Ertels interest in the care of medically compromised and special needs patients led him to the University of California at Los Angeles and the completion of residency training in General Practice and Hospital Dentistry. After moving to Oahu in 1982 he began his association with Aiea Newtown Dental Group where he remains today.
Besides private practice, Dr. Ertel is on the staff at Kaiser Moanalua Hospital and also at Queens Medical Center. At Queens, he mentors residents in the Hospital Dentistry residency program. Since 2012, Dr. Ertel has been involved with the Aloha Medical Mission providing dental care in under developed countries including the Philippines, Guatemala and Ecuador.
Dr. Ertels wife, Dr. Lynn Fujimoto-Ertel, is a pediatric dentist retired from private practice but now directing the NYU-Lutheran Pediatric Dental Residency in Hawaii. They have a married son who lives in Southern California. Outside of the office, Dr. Ertel enjoys sports, his church and volunteering for community activities.