NDCS launches AI dental scanner for fast home and clinic checks

The mobile-powered tool detects dental issues in under a minute.

The National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) has partnered with Yuyi Dental Pte. Ltd. to roll out a portable dental screening device that allows oral checks at clinics, schools, and even in patients’ homes using a mobile phone.

The platform, called iOOELI, can detect common dental issues, including cavities, gum disease, crooked teeth, and deep overbite in less than a minute, Ellen Li, CEO at Yuyi Dental, told Healthcare Asia.

“It captures images inside the mouth using a mobile device and uploads them to the cloud,” Li said in an emailed reply to questions.

Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the system compares oral images with patient data to flag abnormalities and recommend next steps for dentists. Dentists can customise reports and share them with patients via mobile mini-apps, PDFs, or WeChat.

“Doctors can track patient engagement and follow-up intent in real time,” Li added.

The global dental imaging market is expected to grow 8.6% annually to $8.61b by 2032 from 2023, according to market research firm SNS Insider. The Asia-Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing region due to an increasing awareness about oral health.

In Singapore, more than 50% of people visit a dentist yearly, with 60% seeking preventive care, according to the Ministry of Health.

NDCS will initially deploy the device in projects focusing on gum disease in seniors, paediatric oral health, teledentistry, and teeth alignment.

“We will develop, validate, and adopt tools for data collection and automated risk detection that require minimal professional involvement,” said Yu Na, director of innovation at NDCS. “In dental settings, the platform supports collaboration across specialities, particularly during remote patient care.”

The collaboration will also create an Oral Health Innovation Fund to support new technologies, clinical testing, and scalable solutions. “The collaboration may also establish a skilled team and local enterprises,” she added.