In Conversation With Dr. Shantanu Jaradi

Dr. Shantanu Jaradi is the Founder and CEO of Dentzz Dental

1. Define the growth story of the brand in the last 5 years?

Ø When we started Dentzz Dental in 2006, most people had a very different perspective about opting for dental and aesthetic treatments. Our vision was to offer a quality-driven approach by focussing on aesthetic dentistry. For Dentzz, the growth story lies in using intelligence and designing a lot of processes and protocols that make dentistry a supremely positive experience. We started with two centres and have grown multifold. We are now among leading conglomerates known for complex smile makeovers and treating smile enhancement cases in Mumbai, Delhi, and the UAE, where we have established state-of-the-art centres. Over time, we have moved from providing all the basic to advanced dental procedures under one roof. We meet the oral healthcare needs of a wide variety of clients offering a bouquet of other quality services. Offering amazing expertise, a remarkable experience, and offering the best in technology are the three main cornerstones to the success of our brand.

2. What makes Dentzz Dental different from its peers?

Ø The basic difference between Dentzz and its peers is our investment in creating a robust infrastructure that brings in new technology. We have evolved along with the industry and created a specialized centre where we place our customers before others. Unlike the rest, we have moved from being a doctor-centric practice by introducing a shorter waiting time for patient appointments, ensuring that dentists and clinicians were imparted with soft skills. Besides, we use only the latest and best equipment from Germany and the US which helps us improve the rate of success and operate above industry standards to the satisfaction of our customers. Dentzz, with state-of-art centres spread across the country takes in knowledge and technology to break down barriers. This helps us provide international standards here in India, and globally.

3. Quality dental care being the need of the hour, how have new innovations and technologies at the centre contributed to a good patient experience?

Ø As I mentioned earlier, the foundation of Dentzz’s success lies in the amazing expertise, experience, and best technology that we offer. To cite an example of this, unlike a conventional dental clinic, we have deployed technology that helps in administering anaesthesia through a needle-less procedure. Most people are apprehensive of a needle and the associated pain. When it comes to procedures, we will first carry out a virtual surgery to ascertain the bone dimensions, etc. before we actually go for an intervention on the patient. To ensure that the patient is done with the fixing of a crown in a single sitting, we have a machine that does it in an hour that helps in avoiding multiple sittings. At Dentzz, we also ensure that the patients are attended to at any given time and this experience is a differentiator when it comes to offering quality patient care.

4. How is the introduction of new technologies redefining the concept of aesthetic dentistry globally?

Ø New-age technology has ensured that dentistry today offers faster procedures with the efficiency that in the long term helps build credibility. Advancements in technology have been a major disruptor for the industry. Drill deviation, over drilling, etc. can be avoided as also intricate procedures that make working by hand challenging or quite impossible. The risks of failure are low with assisted dental technology and minimally invasive procedures also ensure a fast-paced recovery. Some of the best innovations available today in dentistry are set to change people’s outlook toward oral healthcare in the years to come.

5. How have the customer's expectations changed in dental healthcare with the advancement of digital technologies?

Ø Customers are now able to look at dentistry with a positive outlook. The perception that was previously attached to it has diminished with technology and is now gone. Getting a crown fitting done in one sitting was unheard of earlier, but is possible today with technology. The experience is elevated because it is less painful. Dental patients are today in a better position to understand what to expect at the end of a procedure, be it cosmetic or aesthetic treatment. For instance, a 3D CT scan is a technological advancement that helps in better understanding and treatment planning for the healthcare expert. Customers get a different perspective of the procedure and it helps them meet expectations.

6. How has the Covid 19 pandemic impacted the phenomenon of dental tourism in India?

Ø Dental tourism has always been a major part of medical tourism. Given the lower costs of dentistry in India, it has been seen as a major player when it comes to patients who are looking for professional dental treatment with some added touristic pleasure. The pandemic did affect this phenomenon. There have been travel restrictions and uncertainty has largely prevailed the world over. But the good news is that India has just recently opened its borders for travel. We expect inbound tourism to pick up and with that medical and dental tourism will also see an uptick. As far as dentistry is concerned, we are ready to welcome them and offer our customers the best in quality service.

7. What are the new trends you foresee that could shape the future of dentistry?

Ø Technology is a fast-advancing subject. Today, the dentistry business in terms of technology is guided by artificial intelligence, robotics, and regenerative dentistry. AI is offering consistency, the possibility of a second opinion, reducing the time taken for a procedure, costs, and a host of other things. Robotics has become an aid during surgery, while tooth regeneration offers a stem cell-based medicine procedure where it could replace all damaged or missing natural teeth in the future. A lot of research and development has already been done and there is more that’s underway. While these are leading the way, there is much more in technology that will eventually come to become a reality.

8. Any further plans for expansion in the Middle East region, or the West?

Ø Dentzz Dental is today a name in Mumbai, and Delhi, where we are present across multiple centres. We are also in the United Arab Emirates with Dubai. In the future, we are looking to further expand our presence with a vision to upgrade our systems that go into scaling newer grounds, moving into newer geographical territories.