Colosseum Dental Group, Europe’s largest dental provider with more than 630 clinics across 11 countries, is piloting Hello Pearl’s Second Opinion software. The AI technology analyses radiographs in real time and highlights areas of concern, such as caries, bone loss, and other signs of dental disease, using clear colour-coded markers. The goal of implementing the software is to support clinicians in interpreting images with greater accuracy and confidence, while giving patients easy-to-understand visual evidence of their oral health and its implications.
According to Group Chief Medical Officer Dr Farzeela Rupani, early feedback from the pilot phase has been encouraging. “The beauty of Hello Pearl is that it doesn’t overcomplicate things. It helps patients understand what’s going on without needing a detailed lecture about radiography. Clinicians can show the problem easily whilst they explain it, and that visual proof makes a big difference when discussing treatment options.”
Colosseum Dental Group serves more than six million patients a year, so improving clarity and consistency across diagnostic consultations has long been a focus for the Group. While Hello Pearl is still in its early testing phase within some of the Group’s clinics, Dr Rupani says the impact on communication has been noticeable. “When patients can clearly see what healthy tissue looks like next to areas of concern, they’re more engaged in the conversation. It’s not just about improving treatment uptake, it’s about building understanding and trust.”
Patient understanding, clinician support
The pilot is being supported with structured onboarding and one-to-one training to ensure the software fits smoothly into existing practice workflows. By tracking how the software is being used across different sites, the Group is identifying clinicians who are leading the way and encouraging peer learning across practices.
Dr Rupani, an experienced dentist with a background in health management, dental education and clinical leadership, believes the value of tools like Hello Pearl goes beyond treatment planning. “This technology gives clinicians more confidence when presenting a diagnosis. It helps structure the conversation with the patient, which ultimately leads to better shared decision-making.”
Colosseum is also exploring the benefits of combining Hello Pearl with other early-stage interventions. For example, in some pilot sites, clinicians are using the AI visualisation to identify incipient caries lesions and offer non-invasive treatments such as Curodont Repair. “It gives patients options. That’s something we’re really focused on across the Group – personalising care and making prevention feel achievable.”
As well as traditional metrics such as treatment uptake, the Group is monitoring qualitative outcomes, including patient feedback, online reviews and clinician satisfaction. “We’ve already had comments from patients saying they appreciated being shown the images in a way that made sense to them. For us, that’s a sign we’re heading in the right direction.”
Part of a wider digital strategy
The adoption of Hello Pearl forms part of a broader strategy to integrate contemporary technologies into Colosseum’s clinical and operational approach. Alongside radiographic AI, the group is piloting digital technologies to reduce administrative tasks and free up more time for direct patient care. While the rollout is currently limited to selected practices, Dr Rupani says the longer-term goal is to bring the benefits to a wider part of the network. “We’re taking a measured approach. We want to learn what works, refine the process and then scale effectively. But there’s no question that this kind of technology has a place in the future of dentistry.”
For Dr Rupani, tools like Hello Pearl are not about replacing clinical judgement but enhancing it. “We’ve built a group culture that values autonomy and clinical quality. Hello Pearl supports that by giving clinicians another layer of evidence to draw on and another way to connect with their patients.”
She adds, “Technology should help us do what we do best, not get in the way. That’s why this pilot is so encouraging. It’s a simple tool that adds real value where it matters most.”
For more information, visit: hellopearl.com/getdemo
