'I saw firsthand the inefficiencies in traditional care models'
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Adam Schulhof, DMD, is a practicing orthodontist and the creator of Grin, a virtual care solution for dentistry and orthodontics. Patients can attach a scope to their phones and send scans to their oral health care providers. Those scans can help doctors create personalized care plans while giving patients greater access to care.
Last week, we interviewed a dentist in Georgia who has implemented Grin to create a virtual patient monitoring program. This week, the inventor of that technology, Dr. Schulhof, talks to Dental Bite about the launch of Grin and what he sees for the future of remote patient monitoring. -Carrie Pallardy
What first sparked the idea behind Grin?
As an orthodontist, I saw firsthand the inefficiencies in traditional care models: patients traveling for routine checkups that could easily be handled remotely, delays in treatment adjustments, patients seeking DIY treatment methods that were doing more harm than good and a general lack of digital integration in oral health care. I wanted to create a solution that streamlined patient management while maintaining high-quality, doctor-led
care.
We started by developing a remote monitoring system that leveraged AI-driven scanning technology. This system allowed patients to take high-quality scans from anywhere while their doctor remained in control of treatment decisions. From there, we built Grin into a comprehensive platform that improves providers' efficiency and enhances patient engagement.
How does Grin work? How does the company work with doctors?
The process is simple for patients: they use the Grin Scope™ and our app to take high-quality intraoral scans from home. These scans are securely sent to their provider, who can review them, monitor progress and make treatment decisions—all without needing an in-office visit unless necessary.
For doctors, Grin functions as an extension of their practice. It allows them to stay connected with patients, track progress and intervene at the right moments. Our Grin Doctor Portal provides AI-enhanced insights, automates routine check-ins and seamlessly integrates into existing workflows.
Grin works with several partners to reach underserved areas. Can you share some insight into how those partnerships work?
We at Grin believe access to high-quality dental and orthodontic care shouldn’t be limited by geography or socioeconomic barriers. To that end, we partner with health care organizations, non-profits and corporate partners to expand access to care in underserved communities.
Through these partnerships, we provide remote oral health assessments, monitoring solutions and digital consultations, allowing patients to connect with a doctor without traveling long distances.
How do you balance your roles as an entrepreneur and as an orthodontist?
Balancing both roles comes down to prioritization and a strong team. I still treat patients because it keeps me grounded in the realities of orthodontic care, but I also have an incredible team at Grin that helps execute our vision. Surrounding myself with great people who share the same passion makes it possible to push Grin forward while maintaining a connection to the clinical world.
Edited for clarity and brevity.
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