The seeds for Denteractive were laid many years ago in dental school and over the 20 years of my practice. About five years ago, I started formulating my vision onto paper. The architecture for Denteractive was laid, but technology had to catch up. In early 2014, we broke ground on our professional efforts to build this platform and we have reached a momentous point by launching it July 8! Realizing our vision into Denteractive as a product has been made possible by our hard working and dedicated team. Mr. Adrien Abbasi, vice president of product, can attest to the true efforts that our amazing team has delivered with their superb knowledge of technology, business development, communications, philanthropy, and—most importantly—clinical dentistry!
DIQ: What sets this app apart from other similar apps or software?
RI: Our app is very focused to dentistry and is one of the few that has been made by a dentist for the enhancement of the dental profession, and for overall patient care and education. We allow for improved user experience for both core audiences. With Denteractive, patients are now close with dentists even before an office visit. Our mission is to build and connect quality patients with quality dentists, through a harmonized balance of education, communication tools and practice branding, and support.
DIQ: How have beta testers or immediate users (both dentists and patients) responded to the app so far? How is the launch going?
People need human connections and easy access to information
RI: The responses amongst dentist and beta users have been very positive. The texting feature and our treatment-tracking feature are definitely the most popular among users. Dentists also like the texting feature and the ability to choose their video call availability, as well as, the simplicity of our "hearts" review system based on authentic engagements. In the age of social media, it is clear that people need human connections and easy access to information in order to make better decisions and thrive. Our launch has been very smooth so far—we are releasing minor updates and adding features as we move forward. We are also being proactive in getting the word out through different channels to promote Denteractive, for public awareness and for the good of the dental community.
DIQ: When will Denteractive be available outside the southern California region?
RI: Our core efforts were started in southern California, where we launched on July 8. We have most of our network dentists in Orange County and Los Angeles. We are in the process of adding more in all regions of southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area in the coming months. More cities will follow. We have the architecture and capability to add any dentist in the country and have strategic plans to implement our service for everyone.
DIQ: What are Denteractive’s future goals? Any updates or enhancements to the app that you have in mind, or any additional products Denteractive may create in the future?
RI: We are developing several products as we speak. They are mainly to enhance free public dental and health care awareness. Also, we are working on professional continuing education platforms and ways to facilitate secure and effective communications between patients and dentists, as well as between dental professionals. Our platform will be one of the leading resources for online dental education, focused oral health information, and—most uniquely—a real-time forum that provides one-on-one education and collaboration tools between dentists and the public.
As education provides the most important pathway to preventive care, and, secondarily, improves the public’s overall health, we have plans to further collaborate with dental schools and higher learning institutions to better expose developing dentists to our cause and help provide free education for the public.
To learn more about Denteractive, visit their website. The Denteractive app is available is available for download in your smart phone’s app store.