Wara Samar
4th March 2025
Beyond the Dentist’s Chair: Dentcense’s Mission to Transform Dental Care
Millions of people worldwide lack access to proper dental care. For some, the problem is financial; for others, it’s geographical, with specialists often concentrated in urban centers. With nearly 45% of the global population unable to receive necessary treatments, could technology be the answer to bridging this gap?
At the forefront of this transformation is Dentcense, an AI-driven robotic dentistry company founded by Dr. Mahoor Sadr Hashemi, with later support from Dr. Ilkka Kangasniemi. The inspiration for Dentcense began nearly a decade ago when Dr. Mahoor Sadr participated in a dental mission in the Philippines. There, he met a 92-year-old woman who longed to eat meat again but lacked teeth. Her resilience moved him deeply, and he invited her to stay in town to receive treatment. After addressing her oral health issues and crafting her dentures, he witnessed the joy of her being able to eat again. That moment solidified his belief that dentistry is not just about restoring teeth, but also about restoring dignity and improving quality of life. Determined to find a scalable solution, he created Dentcense to enhance precision and accessibility, transforming dental care through AI and robotics.
A New Era in Dental Technology
Dentcense differentiates itself from other dental technology solutions by aiming to remove the manual work of the dentist. Initially, the technology automates diagnosis, and as the AI evolves, it will also design treatment plans. The company is addressing key challenges in dental care, including inequality in accessibility, treatment quality, and accuracy. Rising treatment costs, diminishing resources, and dental anxiety are also major concerns. Many people avoid dental treatment due to fear of procedures, tools, and pain. Dentcense seeks to alleviate these fears by offering a more comfortable and stress-free experience.
By integrating AI, machine learning, robotics, remote operation, and virtual reality into dental care, Dentcense significantly enhances precision and accessibility. Robotics can outperform human accuracy, while AI and machine learning continuously improve treatment design and operation, ensuring a standardized level of care. The system’s remote operation feature means dental procedures can be conducted anywhere in the world, addressing the issue of accessibility. Virtual reality plays a crucial role in facilitating communication between the dentist and the patient, as well as enabling the remote operation of the system.
The Future of Remote Dentistry
Remote-controlled dental procedures are expected to evolve similarly to robotic surgery. Step by step, as AI capabilities increase, the quality of treatment and procedures will surpass human ability. Feedback from dental professionals has been largely positive, with many seeing this advancement as inevitable, necessary, and beneficial to the healthcare economy. Patients, on the other hand, are often overwhelmed by the rapid changes but recognize that the industry is heading in this direction. Traditionally, dentistry has been associated with pain and stress, but Dentcense offers a solution that could make dental visits painless and worry-free.
What’s Next for Dentcense?
Over the next three to five years, Dentcense aims to sell early interim products while continuing to develop its main robotic system and navigate regulatory processes. The goal is to launch within five years. Partnerships and collaborations are essential to this growth strategy, as the development process requires specialized expertise in robotics, AI, and machine learning. Dentcense has formed partnerships with companies that specialize in these areas to accelerate progress.
A common concern is whether this technology will replace dentists. Dr. Mahoor Sadr clarifies that while Dentcense will transform the field, it will not eliminate jobs. Instead, it will introduce new methods and improve operational capabilities, ultimately enhancing the quality of treatment. Currently, Dentcense is seeking seed funding to continue its development. One of the biggest challenges in securing investment for such an innovative MedTech startup is that investors typically want to see a minimum viable product (MVP). However, building an MVP of a robotic dental system requires millions of euros, making funding a critical hurdle.
Dentcense at MedTech World Dubai 2025
Dentcense’s participation as a Startup Partner for MedTech World Dubai 2025 was a strategic move to increase visibility and attract attention to the project. The company showcased its model and plans with Dr. Ilkka Kangasniemi pitching at the MedTech World Startup Pitch Competition in front of leading investors and industry leaders.
Dr. Mahoor Sadr advises other MedTech startups to take a holistic approach, covering all necessary aspects to attract investors, partners, and customers. As Dentcense continues its journey, it remains dedicated to advancing dental care through AI and robotics, making high-quality treatments accessible to all.