Unlocking the Future of Oral Health Innovation: Grin Co-Founder's Contribution to Rock Health's Latest Study

At Grin, we’re committed to revolutionizing oral health, making it not just a priority but a cornerstone of overall wellness. Recently, our co-founder, Adam Schulhof, contributed to an insightful article by Rock Health, which highlights the undeniable link between oral health and overall health and underscores the untapped potential in the dental innovation space.

Oral Health: More Than Just Teeth

Most people think of oral health as just brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. But as the Rock Health article points out, the impact of oral health goes far beyond clean teeth. It’s closely tied to systemic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, and even sleep disorders. Despite this, our current healthcare system continues to treat oral care as separate from general healthcare, creating unnecessary barriers to access.

Breaking Down Barriers

Adam, along with the experts at Rock Health, advocates for breaking down these barriers. By expanding innovation and investment in oral health, we can address a gap that leaves millions of Americans without proper care. The Rock Health study reveals some compelling stats: only 2% of digital health funding in the U.S. goes toward oral health. Yet, there’s a shift happening—25% of all digital dental health startup funding deals took place between 2023 and the first half of 2024, signaling a growing recognition of oral health's importance.

Innovation Opportunities Ahead

The study outlines several exciting areas where innovation can make a real difference:

• Dental as a Medical Front Door: Around 27 million Americans visit a dentist each year without ever seeing a physician. This presents an opportunity for dental professionals to act as a gateway to broader healthcare, helping identify and treat issues before they worsen.
• Chronic Disease Care: For those living with chronic conditions like diabetes, better oral health care can lead to significant savings and better outcomes. Treating periodontal disease alone can save diabetic patients nearly $6,000 in healthcare costs annually.
• Care During Key Life Stages: Oral health is crucial during important life transitions, like pregnancy. Gum disease during pregnancy is linked to preterm births, yet less than half of pregnant women receive dental care.
• Consumer Empowerment: As consumers become more invested in their overall wellness, personalized oral care solutions are increasingly in demand. People want to take control of their health, and oral health is a vital part of that equation.

The Path Forward

Adam’s insights, along with the Rock Health study, underscore the importance of viewing oral health as part of whole-person care. The future of healthcare lies in integrating oral care with general health, ensuring people get the right care at the right time, and empowering consumers to take charge of their own wellness.

At Grin, we’re proud to be part of this movement. By pushing the boundaries of innovation and expanding access to oral health care, we’re contributing to a future where oral health is no longer overlooked—but recognized for the critical role it plays in overall wellness.

For more information, check out the full Rock Health article here.

Stay tuned as we continue to share insights and updates on how Grin is helping to shape the future of oral health!