Transforming Dental Care: The Social Impact of Dentomi's AI Technology

Dentomi (Dentomi Limited) stands out as a beacon of innovation and social impact in the rapidly evolving field of dental technology. Founded by Professor Walter Lam and Dr Reinhard Chau, Dentomi leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionise dental care, making it more accessible and practical for diverse communities. Dentomi, an innovative spin-off from the HKU Faculty of Dentistry, has garnered attention for its transformative contributions to dental health. This article delves into the impressive journey of Dentomi's founders, who have harnessed cutting-edge AI technology to create meaningful social impact in the dental industry. This article explores how Dentomi's founders have created significant social impact through their AI technology and notable recent collaborations with Colgate (Colgate-Palmolive Hong Kong), Mannings (Hong Kong), and other key partners.

Pioneering AI in Dentistry

Professor Walter Lam and Dr Reinhard Chau envisioned a future where advanced technology could bridge the gap in dental care accessibility. Their AI-driven solutions enable remote gum health screening and self-management, benefiting underserved populations facing barriers to regular dental check-ups. Dentomi's Gum AI system can identify gum diseases by analysing mouth photos captured by a smartphone and providing timely and accurate screening without needing in-person visits. Based on the results, the user can try to self-manage the condition by selecting appropriate oral health care products and performing correct tooth cleaning.

Creating Social Impact

The social impact of Dentomi's technology is profound. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many elderly and low-income individuals struggled to access dental care. Dentomi's AI solutions offered a lifeline, allowing these vulnerable groups to receive essential dental care remotely. This innovation has the potential to improve individual health outcomes and alleviate the burden on healthcare systems by reducing the need for physical consultations.

Recent Collaborations

1. Colgate and Mannings Partnership:
   Dentomi has partnered with Colgate and Mannings to provide personalised oral health care analysis in selected districts across Hong Kong. This initiative uses Dentomi’s Gum AI solution to provide free gum health screenings, offering users a visual representation of gum problems within their mouths. Based on the results detected by the tool, users can choose the most suitable oral healthcare products for their individual situations. This enhanced interaction and promotion of oral health empowers the public to control their oral health better, potentially leading to improved outcomes. Moreover, Mannings plans to integrate Dentomi's Gum AI into their Health Pod, reinforcing their digital healthcare tools.
2. Partnership with Hong Kong Smart City Association x Google Cloud:
   Dentomi has partnered with the Hong Kong Smart City Association (HKSCA), a non-profit organisation committed to advancing innovative city initiatives. This partnership allows Dentomi to leverage advanced dental technologies to support HKSCA’s mission of creating a sustainable and age-friendly urban environment. With the aid of US$250,000 in Google Cloud credits from Google, Dentomi aims to enhance its technological capabilities and integrate smart health solutions into the broader smart city framework, ultimately improving Hong Kong residents' quality of life.
3. Lions Club of Tsing Ma
   Dentomi has partnered with the Lions Club of Tsing Ma, a charity organisation dedicated to providing service to those in need to arrange and perform dental screenings and consultations using Gum AI. This partnership allows Dentomi and members of the Lions Club of Tsing Ma to provide free dental screenings and oral health consultations to serve the elderly in different parts of Hong Kong.

Notable Past Partnerships

1. Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP):
   Dentomi's inclusion in the HKSTP ecosystem has been instrumental in its growth. This partnership provides access to resources, funding, and networking opportunities, fostering innovation and technological advancement.
2. Hope Worldwide:
   - Dentomi has worked with Hope Worldwide to extend its AI technology to underserved communities, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations can benefit from advanced dental care solutions.
3. Society for Community Organisation:
   - Dentomi partnered with the Society for Community Organisation (SoCO), a non-profit established in 1971 that advocates for Hong Kong's most disadvantaged communities. This collaboration showcases Dentomi's commitment to social responsibility by providing advanced dental care services and educational programmes that aim to improve the oral health of underprivileged individuals, thereby enhancing community well-being.
4. New Voice Club of Hong Kong:
   Dentomi has partnered with the New Voice Club of Hong Kong to enhance support for laryngectomies and maintain oral health. Cancer survivors often experience reduced saliva, essential for maintaining oral health because it protects against oral diseases. Consequently, they require closer monitoring and early management of potential oral diseases. This collaboration provides advanced dental care solutions and specialised workshops, significantly improving the club's members' oral health and quality of life.
5. Kactus Limited
   Dentomi has partnered with Kactus Limited, an IT solutions company to design and develop the Gum AI web platform flow and user interface. This platform is used for the Mannings and Colgate partnership as well as for the charity service outreach programme with the Lions Club of Tsing Ma.

Conclusion

Through Professor Walter Lam and Dr Reinhard Chau's visionary leadership, Dentomi has advanced dental technology and made a significant social impact. Their AI-driven solutions have transformed dental care accessibility, particularly for underserved populations. With ongoing collaborations with industry giants like Colgate and Mannings, and support from key partners like HKSTP and HOPE worldwide, Dentomi continues to lead the way in innovative and socially responsible dental care.

To understand more about Dentomi’s invention, please also check out our KE video showcase: https://youtu.be/QRnhpAOjtSo?si=9aYrnhK4ncV7M29T