About six years ago, I had an experience at the dentist that profoundly changed the course of my life.
It began when I switched dentists and received a treatment plan that was completely different from the one I had been given before. I ended up consulting multiple dental practices about the right treatment plan. But to my surprise, each dentist I spoke with gave a significantly different recommendation, leaving me confused and uncertain. It felt more like an art form than a precise science.
I founded Overjet because of this experience as a patient. I wanted to apply my background in artificial intelligence (AI) to develop objective treatment planning and a “universal language” of dentistry that even patients could understand. This would result in better care for me, you, and everyone.
Ultimately, as I delved deeper, I realized that the potential of AI extended far beyond treatment planning. Overjet could also streamline operations, increase efficiency, and lead to better outcomes for patients and dental practices alike.
The Patient Summit: A Convergence of Cross-Industry Leaders
Fast forward to 2025. Standing on stage at the first Patient Summit, it was humbling to look out at top executives from the largest dental providers and payers, each responsible for the care of millions of patients. And it was incredible to realize that all of us were there for the same reason: To shape and build the future of patient-first oral healthcare.
The discussions that followed marked what I believe to be an important moment for dentistry. The future we envisioned went way beyond just the technology we’re building at Overjet. Instead, the Patient Summit laid the groundwork for a fundamental shift in how the entire dental ecosystem works together to improve patient care — with providers and payers collaborating more closely than ever.
In this blog, I want to share the ideas and commitments we heard from the dental community, about how we can create a truly incredible experience for patients.
Here are my three biggest takeaways from the Patient Summit:
1. Payers and providers really do want to work together
It’s no secret that payers and providers often face friction when interacting with each other. This is true not just in dentistry but across many areas of medicine. Aligning on plan details, reimbursements, and care quality is a complex task, and it’s especially tricky when done on a massive scale, with archaic technology.
At the Patient Summit, we confronted some of these longstanding issues head-on. For the first time, dental service organizations (DSOs), insurers, and industry leaders came together in the same room to have candid, forward-thinking conversations. The dialogue was respectful, insightful, and energizing. Leaders pushed each other to think bigger, and repeatedly shared specific ideas for more effective collaboration.
It was a room filled with smart, compassionate individuals who were genuinely committed to change. I left feeling more inspired than ever that we can move the industry forward — together.
To back up this finding, our team conducted a survey of about 100 leaders across dental providers, including Patient Summit attendees. The survey included this simple statement:
“I’d like to collaborate more directly with payers to improve the patient experience and remove administrative burdens.”
The reaction was overwhelmingly positive. More than 75% of providers either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, while about 22% were neutral and 2% disagreed. It’s clear that they are ready to have these critical conversations.
At Overjet, we're sometimes asked how we can work with both payers and providers. The Summit reinforced that this dual partnership isn't just possible — it's essential. Cross-industry problems require cross-industry solutions. The future isn't about AI agents battling on opposite sides. It's about using AI to streamline processes and improve outcomes together.
That doesn’t mean the payer–provider relationship will be transformed overnight. And yes, some conversations at the Summit were difficult. But they were necessary, and they yielded real progress. Both sides walked away with a stronger understanding of each other’s challenges, with new channels for communication, and with a shared commitment to action.
That’s something patients everywhere should be excited about.
2. AI is unlocking a new era of patient experience and education
Another theme that echoed throughout the Summit was the role of AI in transforming the patient journey. Already, AI is already making it easier for patients to understand their oral health, for providers to deliver more consistent care, and for payers to support treatment with clearer, evidence-based rationale. But we’re still only scratching the surface.
We saw broad agreement that AI should serve as a trusted liaison: enhancing transparency, simplifying communication, and making care more accessible and intuitive for patients. From visualizing findings on X-rays to clarifying benefits, AI is empowering patients with the knowledge and confidence they need to say “yes” to care.
This clarity is more important than ever. Today, patients decline nearly 50% of their dentists’ recommendations. And in our recent Overjet Patient Survey of 1,000 US adults, 49% of patients admitted they aren’t always sure whether a recommended treatment is truly necessary.
49% of patients aren’t always sure whether a recommended treatment is truly necessary.
This is exactly where AI can make a difference — by turning uncertainty into understanding. Whether it’s helping patients visualize findings, align with insurance benefits, or trust their providers’ guidance, AI is helping deliver the transparency and reassurance patients need to move forward with care.
3. Technology is ready to simplify operations — and it’s long overdue
Operational inefficiencies emerged as a persistent challenge during the Summit. While providers and payers approach these issues from different perspectives, our discussions revealed that many of these challenges are interconnected — often representing two sides of the same coin. Open dialogue uncovered numerous opportunities for technology to streamline processes and improve patient experiences.
One of the most persistent pain points was Insurance reimbursements. Different clinicians may have differential interpretations, while insurers each follow their own unique criteria for approving benefits. Getting everyone aligned has been a stubborn challenge.
But there’s real momentum for change. A standout example of progress from the Patient Summit was the launch of the Dental Clarity Network: A coalition of leading organizations across the dental ecosystem that are working together to modernize operations, reduce friction, and improve the patient experience.
The Dental Clarity Network’s first major initiative, ReviewPASS, is already making waves. This technology allows providers to bypass manual insurance reviews for a wide range of procedures, giving them immediate clarity on what will be covered. According to the same Patient Survey, 63% of patients said they’ve felt "confused and uncertain" about dental costs. ReviewPASS tackles that challenge head-on by offering real-time benefit clarity — giving patients the confidence to move forward with care, while giving providers assurance of timely reimbursement.
New technologies like ReviewPASS are bringing payers and providers into alignment in unprecedented ways. The result will be fewer surprise denials, faster decisions, and a smoother experience for all.
Imagine a future that actually puts patients first
There's a reason we named our event the Patient Summit. Not the “Dental Technology Symposium,” nor the “Overjet Annual Conference,” but the Patient Summit.
At Overjet, every innovation we develop is centered around improving patient outcomes. The patient experience isn't just a secondary consideration; it's pivotal to successful outcomes. When patients face confusion or obstacles in their dental journey, they're more likely to postpone or completely avoid essential care. By removing these barriers, we don't just enhance satisfaction — we measurably improve health outcomes.
Patient education, preventive care, seamless payer-provider collaboration, and clear benefits information aren't just industry buzzwords. Rather, they're foundational elements for achieving excellent oral health for billions worldwide. Together, as a community, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to transform the status quo.
Hosting these exceptional minds in dentistry was a privilege, but our job is not finished. Right now, we find ourselves at the beginning of the New Era of Oral Healthcare. There’s a world of opportunity in front of us.
And that makes me smile.
