AIDENTIS — a startup that uses AI to improve diagnostics in dentistry

Find out how a Kazakhstani startup is changing dentistry with the help of artificial intelligence, reducing diagnostic time and improving the quality of treatment.

Asylzat Isatayeva, Almaty, CEO and co-founder of AIDENTIS, Instagram

How it all started

My mathematical background and work experience in the Big 4, as well as in IT companies working with big data, became the basis for creating the project.

I have always been interested in medicine, as my parents work in this field. While studying my father's dental business, I discovered a problem: the diagnosis of the oral cavity requires a high level of expertise from a doctor, since dental X-rays display many structures, such as teeth, gums, roots, and bones. Examining all these elements requires not only time from a specialist but also attention to detail to avoid missing possible complications, such as the proximity of vital structures like facial nerves.

AIDENTIS offers an innovative service that uses artificial intelligence to analyze X-rays and detect diseases of the oral cavity. Our tool helps reduce the time doctors spend on routine tasks by up to an hour. We strive not only to make the work of dentists easier, but also to improve the quality of their diagnostics, especially for novice specialists, helping them to become experts faster.

At the launch stage, I received support from my partners who have more than 10 years of experience in IT entrepreneurship, including MedTech. Their knowledge and investments helped us assemble a team and release the first version of the product.

Target audience

Our first version of the product is aimed at orthodontists. It helps to carry out high-quality diagnostics to correct the patient's bite. A presentation created with AI demonstrates the professionalism of the dentist and clinic right from the first appointment.

Today, dental clinics in Kazakhstan have become our clients. In addition, we have agreed on the introduction of the product into the curricula of dental faculties. This will allow students to learn how to work with AI while still at university and further apply the acquired skills in their practice.

Incubation programs

In 2022, we became the winners of the startup battle from MOST Ventures, winning $20,000 on the Digital Bridge. We participated in Dental and IT conferences in Kazakhstan and the Middle East, which provided an opportunity to establish contacts with potential partners. We also completed the FoundHer acceleration program from Plug and Play and became participants of the Silicon Valley Summit in Silicon Valley. It was an incredibly rewarding experience. We received valuable insights from analysts and partners of the largest venture fund in the U.S. and also learned more about the venture investment and startup ecosystem there.

Difficulties

Difficulties are a constant reality in startups, and it's important to learn to overcome them. The most valuable thing I realized was the importance of people in our project. There are different people along the way, and it is important to learn how to evaluate them correctly. Some can significantly accelerate development after just one conversation, while others interfere due to a lack of expertise or understanding of the project. If you do not recognize this moment in time, you can waste resources and slow down the development process.

Progress

We are developing the AIDENTIS diagnostic module: the data has been selected, the neural network is being trained, and the first results have already been obtained. We will start beta testing soon. We have the support of Dana Seitenovna Ospanova, President of the Dental Association of Kazakhstan, and we have also raised part of the Seed Round amount. We are at the final stage of signing a memorandum of cooperation with Semey Medical University, which is interested in teaching students how to work with AI.

Plans

We plan to scale the diagnostic module in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and the Middle East, where interest is already growing. By the end of the year, we want to complete beta testing, strengthen the product part, and continue attracting investments.