Welcome to ExtraMile by YourTechDiet interview series, where we speak to leaders who are making a real difference in their fields.
Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Philippe Salah, CEO of DentalMonitoring. Philippe’s company is at the forefront of a major shift in dentistry by using smart technology that will help orthodontists monitor their patients’ treatments from anywhere.
Philippe aims to transition from reactive check-ups to proactive, personalized care, keeping patients connected and informed. In this conversation, Philippe shares the remarkable story behind his path, starting from his scientific roots to building a global company. He is also candid about the way his love of art informs his leadership and why he believes the human connection in healthcare can’t be replaced.
Join us and learn how DentalMonitoring is shaping a brighter, more connected future for dental care.
Hello Philippe, and welcome to the discussion!
1. DentalMonitoring introduced AI-driven remote orthodontic care, becoming the industry’s first unicorn. What initially inspired you to merge AI with dentistry? How did your background in biophysics and bioinformatics shape this vision?
Philippe. Our journey began with the idea of merging science and healthcare. With my educational background I was trained to look at complex systems and find ways to optimize them. Dentistry and orthodontics in particular captivated me as a field with an enormous potential for digital transformation. With the rise of AI, I realized we could take it a step further: empower doctors to see what’s happening in their patients’ mouths between visits. That was the “eureka” moment that led to DentalMonitoring. AI gave us a way to scale personalized care, something I always felt was missing in traditional dentistry.
2. Your platform detects 180+ clinical issues via smartphone scans for patients and clinics. How does this level of remote monitoring increase clinical efficiency and patient outcomes compare to traditional methods?
Philippe. Traditional orthodontics are reactive: patients come in every few weeks and doctors adjust based on what they see in the chair. With DentalMonitoring you can truly transition to proactive care. Thanks to the multiple clinical conditions our AI detects, doctors are able to know exactly how the treatment is progressing at all times. This allows for a personalized treatment, fewer emergency appointments and an optimized agenda. It’s about seeing your patients more frequently, but remotely.
3. With AI processing 500M+ images, how do you balance automation with the human touch in healthcare? Are there ethical limits you won’t reach?
Philippe. At DentalMonitoring, our AI isn’t meant to replace the human connection between doctors and patients — it’s designed to synchronize the delivery of care with the need for care. We help doctors detect issues earlier and respond faster, but they always stay in control.
Every DM interaction is guided by Monitoring Protocols set by the doctor, meaning the AI never takes decisions on its own. That’s our ethical line: technology should empower clinicians, not replace them.
Just as X-rays and intraoral scanners advanced visibility and precision, AI is the next step — making care more accurate and predictable while keeping the doctor–patient relationship at the center.
4. As an FDA-approved and EU-MDR-certified solution, you operate in a highly regulated environment. How do you balance compliance and breaking boundaries with AI and telehealth in dentistry?
Philippe. I don’t see being in a highly regulated environment as a constraint, it is a responsibility. Being FDA-approved and MDR-certified means that every innovation we introduce is validated, reliable, and safe for doctors and patients. The key is to innovate boldly while keeping compliance in our DNA. This is how we continue pushing the boundaries without compromising trust and safety.
5. From €50M to a $1B+ valuation, the company’s progress is commendable. What were the challenges you faced globally, and how did partnerships like Straumann or Ormco help you to accelerate your mission?
Philippe. Scaling DentalMonitoring from a startup to a unicorn was far from straightforward. Each market that we entered had its own challenges. One of the biggest challenges we faced was catering to the different markets’ needs. Our partnerships have been instrumental in accelerating our growth and adoption, they gave us access to new networks and helped build trust in regions where we were newcomers. Collaboration has always been central to our mission.
6. With DentalMonitoring+ and AIDA Auto Replies, you are expanding into 3D visualization and AI-based communication. What’s next on your innovation journey? Are there any new areas in dental care where AI could make a big difference?
Philippe. DentalMonitoring+ and AIDA Auto Replies are already major breakthroughs in remote care. DM+ gives doctors true 3D visibility of tooth movements — real, measurable changes that make treatment far more readable and predictable. And AIDA enhances communication by pre-writing messages based on what the doctor wants to say, helping teams work faster while still keeping every interaction personal. Neither replaces the clinician; they simply amplify their capabilities.
These innovations are part of a broader vision. We’re now looking at how the same level of AI-driven insight can help other dental specialists. For example, periodontists could benefit from tools that track hygiene or early signs of periodontal issues, and implantologists could use AI to follow healing after surgery and flag complications sooner.
We see huge potential for AI to elevate quality of care across all dental verticals — always with the doctor in control, and always with the goal of improving outcomes for patients.
7. Your app educates patients via videos and notifications. How does this focus on patient engagement differentiate DM from traditional orthodontic care?
Philippe. What truly sets DentalMonitoring apart from others is our focus on the patient experience. The improved communication with the practice and personalized feedback after every scan empowers patients to be actively involved throughout their treatment. Traditional orthodontics often leaves patients in the dark between visits; we keep them connected and motivated every day.
8. Beyond dentistry, you found Galerie PS21, a kinetic art gallery. How has your passion for art and motion influenced your approach to tech innovation and leadership at DentalMonitoring?
Philippe. I’ve always been passionate about innovation and creation in all its forms, and art — especially kinetic art — is one of the purest expressions of that. It blends visual creativity with mechanical movement, and that intersection has always inspired me. For more than a decade, Galerie PS21 kept me closely connected to that world, even though I eventually had to step back due to time.
That experience shaped the way I approach both technology and leadership. It taught me to value experimentation, to stay curious, and to appreciate the harmony between aesthetic vision and engineering precision. Those same principles guide how we build products and how I work with people at DentalMonitoring: embracing creativity while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
9. You have founded a tech unicorn and an avant-garde art gallery. How do creativity and science intersect in your leadership style?
Philippe. For me the connection between building a tech company and running an avant-garde art gallery is actually very natural. In both worlds, you commit to being first. In my art gallery, I curated artists because their work was truly original — not just beautiful, but offering a new perspective. I lead DentalMonitoring the same way: we don’t aim to replicate what exists; we focus on building what hasn’t been done before.
That journey is challenging because real innovation has no clear roadmap, but it keeps the team energized and constantly learning. They’re not following others — they’re shaping the future. That blend of originality, curiosity, and bold experimentation is where art and science intersect in my leadership style.
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