Q&A: Florian Hillen, CEO of VideaHealth

RamaOnHealthcare May 9, 2024

Better Health via Dental AI

Today, RamaOnHealthcare talks with Florian Hillen, the CEO of VideaHealth. VideaHealth is the leading Dental AI company, offering dental providers the most comprehensive suite of Dental AI technology that addresses virtually every dental disease state. Practices of all sizes are using VideaHealth to drive better clinical outcomes, ranging from the nation’s largest Dental Support Organizations (DSO), Heartland Dental, to forward-facing independent practices.

Florian Hillen, CEO of VideaHealth

RamaOnHealthcare (ROH): Your report on Dental AI and dental habits’ findings are astounding. Is it true that more than 90% of Americans know that dental disease can increase the potential risk for disease?

Florian Hillen (FH): Yes, they know it – but they are not taking action. Despite recent and repeated warnings from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association and many others, a majority of Americans (81%) surveyed have questioned or hesitated to commit to a treatment their dentist suggested. In fact, nearly one-third (31%) won’t get dental treatment altogether until the pain is too great to manage or just ignore problems completely.

While it is difficult to imagine someone refusing to treat conditions ranging from a broken ankle to heart disease, that is exactly what Americans are doing as it pertains to their oral health. The top reasons given for questioning or hesitating to commit to a suggested treatment include cost (53%), fear or pain (28%), and because the problem does not seem too painful or problematic (18%). Dental AI is that bridge to action.

ROH: What do consumers say about interest in Dental AI?

FH: When asked whether they’d be more likely to follow their Dentist’s treatment recommendations if they knew that AI could detect things on an X-ray that a Dentist could not, 59% said yes.

At 65%, Baby Boomers were the most likely to say they’d trust their Dentist’s recommendation more if they knew AI was involved. Gen X respondents were characteristically most apathetic, with just 51% saying AI would influence the likelihood that they would follow their Dentist’s recommendations.

ROH: How has AI begun to change dental care?

FH: Humans like predictability and evidence, especially at the Dentist’s office! That is why the survey results showing a high degree of interest in Dental AI – even going so far as to say they will change their behavior when the Dentist uses Dental AI – aren’t very surprising to me. Dental AI turns awareness into action. Action helps patients avoid more invasive treatments, saves time, and money as early correct treatment is significantly less expensive than waiting and receiving treatment later.

Dental AI is the great equalizer. It changes the dynamic forever by offering unbiased and data-driven analysis that both the Patient and Dentist can view and discuss together during the visit.

ROH: How do you see AI transforming Dental Care in the future? How far might it go?

FH: I suspect most Dentists at every practice in the country are already using or considering Dental AI for their practices. Feedback from across the country, in practices of all sizes, and from Dentists with every level of experience, has been overwhelmingly positive. Dental AI adoption is virtually addressing all dental disease states, happening throughout the industry, and driving better clinical outcomes.

When other Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) see how successful and painless the rollout of Dental AI has been across nearly 1,700 practice locations, they will appreciate how achievable this is for their business also.

Using Dental AI alongside Dentists and Hygienists will become the standard of care within the next two or three years. In fact, we are currently also bringing Dental AI to the education market. VideaHealth and Henry Schein recently partnered to bring Dental AI to Hygiene Schools.

ROH: Can you tell us more about the survey results or general AI in healthcare?

FH: Dental AI is an exciting opportunity for dentistry and healthcare in general. At the highest level, this is the most significant and meaningful rollout of AI in the country because it can improve the health of virtually all Americans. Long-term Dental AI will help make Americans healthier by reducing the risk of chronic diseases, from stroke to dementia, and save massive amounts of money.

Dental AI will also influence the adoption of AI in healthcare at large. This is the first-time patients are interacting with health-related AI directly, and as they become more comfortable with those experiences, their comfort in other areas will also open. In other words, over time this direct experience will impact AI adoption across the entire healthcare ecosystem.

ROH: What do you think this year holds for Dental AI and AI in healthcare?

FH: In 2024, we’re witnessing the dawn of a new era in dental care, marked by the widespread adoption of dental AI throughout the market. Firstly, dentistry has emerged as a frontrunner in embracing artificial intelligence within healthcare. The industry’s proactive approach to integrating AI into various aspects of dental practice has paved the way for rapid advancements. With each passing day, AI algorithms become more refined, enhancing their ability to assist dental professionals in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient care.

Furthermore, the scope of AI in dentistry has expanded, with virtually every significant dental disease now within reach. AI can detect dental issues from early-stage cavities to periodontal conditions and beyond with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.

For Dentists worldwide, this is now a matter of “when,” not “if.” The tangible benefits of Dental AI include improved diagnostic capabilities, enhanced patient outcomes, and streamlined workflows. These have quelled any lingering doubts among practitioners. As a result, the widespread adoption of AI in dental practices has become inevitable.

I think it is essential to say innovation doesn’t stop here. Eventually, Dental AI will be able to predict disease outcomes based on treatment decisions and provide greater insight into a patient’s overall health. Because of technology innovation and more significant data sets, Dental AI gets smarter and more effective every day.

About Florian Hillen

Florian Hillen, MS, is the founder and CEO of VideaHealth, a dental AI platform. He previously conducted research projects at the intersection of engineering and social science at the MIT Institute for Data, Systems, and Society and Harvard Business School. He also founded Ninu, a digital health-tech start-up. Florian holds master’s degrees from MIT in computer science and technology and policy, a BS in management and technology, and the first state exam in medicine.