Regarding the Use of Technology in Dental Services

During the period of social restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, -based health services online is one of a number of services that many people hunted in Indonesia. This service is considered to be able to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 without the need to meet face to face.

Actually, before the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak, technology-based startups (healthtech) is predicted to shine this year.  Healthtech enable each stakeholder in it to provide easier, faster, and affordable health services for patients.

The use of technology in this field is considered highly anticipated by many parties, especially for markets that have limited access to health services.

Talk healthtech, Chief Marketing Officer Rata Deviana Maria share interesting information about the use of Artificial Technology (AI) in this type of service. Read more in this #TuesdayStartup session.

Utilization of AI for decision making

Rata is an example of a startup in the health sector that uses technology to provide solutions to dental aesthetic problems. This startup utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to create a predictable solution for its patients.

In this case, AI can be used to process dental records and get a result from photo scan patient's teeth about how to treat the patient next.

"The technology we use can produce a prediction, for example how long it will take for the patient's teeth to be flat again. We also have videos of the patient's tooth movement. Now, this technology can make it easier for doctors and patients to make decisions," said Deviana.

AI helps to sort cases

Deviana admits that the implementation of AI in Indonesia is not as sophisticated as in China which has been applied to various fields use case. In dental health, the use of AI in China can already be used to produce tooth shapes that match the patient's face.

For Deviana, AI adoption in Indonesia is still very basic. Not only producing predictions, AI is considered very helpful for doctors to sort out cases.

In the following example, AI can make it easier for doctors to determine whether the patient's case can be handled or not. In the case of tooth alignment, AI can help to see how the process goes to achieve the ideal shape.

"For example, a doctor wants to move the teeth to the ideal position. The AI ​​will process the data and generate output whether it can or not. AI technology is constantly learning and all the results must have limitations. As doctors, we have to find other ways."

Business opportunities healthtech 

In general, Deviana considers that the service healthtech in Indonesia is currently mostly filled by public health (general health) which is very strong on consulting services online and drug orders. For example, Halodoc and HealthReplies.com. There are not many that lead to dental aesthetic services.

According to him, during the last five years of conducting R&D, Indonesian people have not been literate about dental health. Moreover, so far people have used more treatment when sick (sick care), not treatment to avoid disease (healthcare).

Therefore, this service is considered to be able to encourage people to aware to health because more accessible thanks to technology support. "Especially in the current pandemic situation. People are becoming more aware of their health. Health is something to invest in," he said.

Collaboration opportunities with actors healthtech lain

Similar to other startups, collaboration between business actors healthtech also very possible. Especially for startups that have services niches, like Average. This collaboration can complement and strengthen the service ecosystem.

General health services and drug ordering are dominated by Halodoc and Alodokter enables collaboration with dental and facial aesthetic services.

"Since the beginning introduces to investors, we do not position ourselves as a service provider health care, but direct-to-customer products for lifestyle and beauty. With the trend of lifestyle and beauty services, of course the opportunities are also getting bigger," said Deviana.