Adra: AI for Dentists - Y Combinator Startup

The Integration of AI in Dental Healthcare

Similar to broader trends within healthcare, the dental sector is increasingly adopting technological advancements. While a significant portion of this innovation focuses on orthodontics, companies such as Adra are pioneering the application of artificial intelligence directly into the daily routines of dentists, specifically in the detection of dental caries. This occurs within a global dental services market projected to reach $435.08 billion this year.

Adra's Founding and Core Concept

Founded in 2021 and conceptualized the previous year, Adra is based in Singapore. Co-founder Hamed Fesharaki brings over a decade of experience as a practicing dentist and currently operates two dental clinics within Singapore.

Dentists receive training in X-ray interpretation during their education, however, achieving proficiency typically requires several years of practical experience. Furthermore, dentists often have limited time to review these images due to the demands of patient scheduling.

Addressing Diagnostic Inaccuracies

Consequently, diagnostic errors in cavity detection occur in as many as 40% of cases, according to co-founder Yasaman Nematbakhsh. Her expertise lies in medical imaging, where she previously developed an AI system for identifying difficult-to-detect cancers. Fesharaki recognized the potential for applying similar technology to dental diagnostics.

Adra aims to empower all dentists to function at an elevated level of expertise, effectively becoming “super dentists,” as described by Fesharaki in an interview with TechCrunch. The company’s software is designed to identify cavities and other dental issues on X-rays with greater speed and a 25% improvement in accuracy.

How Adra's Technology Functions

The system transforms X-ray images to enhance understanding and highlight key areas of concern. This assists dentists in identifying potential problems and assessing their severity. “We are coming from the eye of an experienced dentist to help illustrate the problems,” Fesharaki explained.

Ultimately, the dentist retains the authority to make the final diagnosis, but Adra’s technology provides a valuable comparative tool and offers informed suggestions.

Treatment Decisions and Future Development

By rapidly pinpointing the location and extent of dental issues, dentists can make informed decisions regarding treatment options. These may include fillings, fluoride applications, or a period of monitoring.

Alongside third co-founder Shifeng Chen, the company is completing its participation in Y Combinator’s summer program and has secured $250,000 in funding to date. Fesharaki plans to pursue a more formal seed funding round and expand the engineering team to focus on user experience enhancements and the addition of new features.

Regulatory Approval and Market Entry

Currently, Adra is conducting pilot programs with a select number of dental clinics and is actively seeking additional participants as it prepares for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance. The company anticipates receiving FDA approval within six to nine months, paving the way for a market launch in late 2022 or early 2023.