Pearl Second Opinion, ground-breaking AI software which helps dental practitioners to identify oral health issues before they are clearly visible even on x-rays, has scooped two prestigious accolades: The AI Awards Best AI Usage in Healthcare and the Awards overall Winner title. Even more impressive it beat entries across every category, from finance, airlines, to retail and beyond.
The AI Awards highlight and celebrate the contributions of organisations and individuals to the advancement of artificial intelligence across different industry sectors, attracting organisations at the cutting edge of AI development and use.
Responding to the win Pearl AI founder Ophir Tanz commented “Pearl Second Opinion is changing the face of dentistry – helping to foster greater patient trust, while helping dentists to better do their job. Winning these awards underlines the importance of using cutting edge technology in such a demanding healthcare setting and highlights the difference it can make every day.”
Pearl holds the first-ever FDA-clearance for AI software capable of reading and instantly identifying diseases in dental x-rays, including tooth decay, calculus, bone loss and gum disease. It also holds CE marking for use across European markets and EU MDR certification as a Class IIa medical device.
Accurate diagnosis
Second Opinion uses machine learning and computer vision tools to help dentists read patient x-rays to deliver consistent, objective, and accurate diagnoses, driving care quality and better oral health outcomes.
Numerous studies testify to the efficacy and accuracy of AI in dentistry including a 2020 study [Artificial Intelligence Tools in Dentistry: A Systematic Review on Their Application and Outcomes – PMC] which found that it could identify tooth decay with a 97.1% accuracy rate.
Whilst a study conducted by Pearl found it could accurately identify 36% more dental anomalies than those without AI assistance.
Dr. Kunal Rai elucidates: “When I took over my practice, my aim was to redefine dental care for my existing patients, while also attracting new ones. The NHS model restricted what I wanted to achieve, so to help me transition I brought in Pearl’s Second Opinion. At first, Second Opinion was an optional extra for my associates, however, when we incorporated it into every consultation, we saw treatment acceptance surge.
Initially it allowed me and my associates to keep pace with the NHS’ high patient volume by maintaining diagnostic consistency using real-time AI analysis. The software reduces missed diagnosis caused by tiredness or speed, which in itself improves the standard of care we offer. Before Pearl I’d have to spend several minutes examining every x-ray with a magnifying glass. That, and the arduous pace of the workflow, can lead to tired eyes and diagnostic fatigue. This means that for high volume practices Pearl’s consistency is invaluable; it saves time and eliminates the guesswork that can leave patients doubting their treatment plans.”
Patient understanding
The software also helps patients clearly understand their digital dental x-rays. A national patient survey commissioned by Pearl found that 65% of patients do not completely understand what their dentist is pointing out on an x-ray; 59% say they do not fully trust diagnoses based on x-rays alone.
When people are uncertain, they are more likely to delay treatment or leave feeling uneasy. In children, delays can allow decay to progress to the point where extraction becomes necessary [Pearl, Dental Patient Trust and Technology Survey, 2022]. The same survey found that 71% of respondents said they would be more likely to trust their dentist’s diagnosis if AI software assisted in evaluating their x-rays.
To learn more about Second Opinion visit: hellopearl.com
