According to a report by HealthfulHelps, the global AI in dentistry market was valued at approximately USD 417.5 million in 2024 and is projected to grow nearly tenfold by 2031.
Another data point: about 35% of dentists are already using AI technologies in their practice, and reports show that the majority of them report improvements in diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient engagement.
Amid such rapid change and market growth, it is important to hear firsthand how innovation is being implemented in daily dental practice. In this interview, Polina Hlova—an internationally trained dentist and founder of the AI-powered platform PoliSmile—shares how AI is already transforming dentistry, the challenges professionals face, and how new technologies are helping both patients and clinicians.
Polina Hlova is an internationally trained dentist and dental hygiene professional with extensive clinical experience in endodontics and general dentistry. She earned her dental degree from Dnipro State Medical University in Ukraine and completed her junior specialist training in general medicine at the Dnipro Basic Professional Medical College. Polina has also trained under Dr. Volodymyr Kolisnyk, the inventor of the EndoPen, gaining advanced skills in endodontics and dental hygiene technologies.
She has worked across multiple clinical settings in Ukraine and the United States, including emergency dental departments, general dentistry clinics, and specialized endodontic practices. Polina has assisted in designing innovative dental instruments, supported complex root canal procedures, and provided comprehensive patient care in restorative, preventive, and endodontic treatments.
In 2025, she successfully passed the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE) and is currently pursuing dental hygiene licensure in Florida, being registered for all required state exams. Polina is a member of the Ukrainian Dental Association and is dedicated to applying innovative technologies to enhance patient care and efficiency in dental practice.
Polina Hlova is also the founder and creator of PoliSmile, an AI-powered dental diagnostics and treatment planning platform. The mobile and web-based application enables early detection of dental issues, predictive visualization of treatments, periodontal and oncology screening, and personalized patient guidance. Designed to improve access to care—especially in underserved communities—PoliSmile integrates innovative AI technology with preventive dentistry, supporting both patients and dental professionals while advancing research and public health initiatives.
How did you get into dentistry, and what inspired you to choose this profession?
My interest in medicine started in childhood. My godmother, who was a dentist, played a huge role. I often accompanied her to work and observed her practice, which sparked respect and admiration for the profession in me. My parents also supported my curiosity—they gave me books like "The Encyclopedia of the Human Body," which strengthened my desire to study anatomy and the natural sciences.
After ninth grade, I deliberately entered medical college because I could not imagine myself in any other field besides medicine. At that time, I did not yet know which specific area I wanted to pursue, but one thing was clear—I wanted to help people and "save everyone." The decision to become a dentist came somewhat spontaneously but turned out to be absolutely right for me: in this profession, I was able to combine my desire to help people, my love of precision, and my interest in modern technology.
You trained extensively in endodontics under Dr. Volodymyr Kolisnyk. Which skills from that experience turned out to be the most useful in practice and in developing new technologies?
Training with Dr. Volodymyr Kolisnyk was a unique experience. He is not only an excellent clinician but also a developer of dental instruments, and for the first time, I saw how a doctor's practical work could directly lead to innovation.
Clinically, I gained deep knowledge of endodontics—precision in working with root canals, attention to detail, and the ability to use modern methods to preserve teeth. But equally important was that I learned to think more broadly: to see dentistry not just as a set of techniques, but as a field where there is room for research and technological progress.
This experience shaped my drive to develop new approaches, including the integration of artificial intelligence into dental diagnostics. It influenced not only my practical skills but also my vision of the future of dentistry.
How are modern technologies changing dentistry and the daily work of clinics?
Modern technologies are radically transforming dentistry and the way clinics operate, making them more efficient and patient-centered. The use of digital visualization, 3D scanning, and CT imaging allows for more precise treatment planning and improves predictability. This reduces treatment time and enhances patient outcomes.
Prevention also plays an important role: digital tools for oral health monitoring, mobile apps, and telemedicine help engage patients in their own dental care. All of this contributes to reducing the overall cost of healthcare and improving access to quality dental services.
An especially promising direction is the integration of artificial intelligence for image analysis and clinical decision support. This opens new possibilities for early diagnosis and standardization of care quality. I believe that combining clinical experience with technological solutions can significantly strengthen dentistry in the U.S., making it even more accessible and innovative.
Tell us how the idea to create an AI platform for dental diagnostics and treatment planning came about.
The idea for PoliSmile was born out of very personal experiences. It literally breaks my heart when a patient comes in too late and a tooth can no longer be saved. I treat every patient and every tooth as if they were my own, and it always hurts me when we have to remove something that could have been preserved.
I thought a lot about how to help people visit the dentist earlier. Teeth are more important than we are used to thinking: they are connected to our overall health, affect posture, joint function, and even the way we experience food.
That's how the idea for PoliSmile was born—a platform that allows patients to have a "consultation in their pocket": take a photo, receive an initial analysis, and get simple advice. For me, this is a way to combine clinical expertise and modern technology to help people keep their teeth and their overall health.
How do you see the future of artificial intelligence in dentistry and healthcare in general?
I am convinced that the future of dentistry and medicine as a whole cannot be imagined without artificial intelligence. Even today, we are seeing the first examples: AI helps analyze images, speeds up diagnosis, and reduces the likelihood of error. For dentistry, this is especially important, as early diagnosis can preserve a patient's teeth and health for many years.
In the future, I see artificial intelligence not as a replacement for the doctor, but as an assistant—a tool that makes work faster, more precise, and more accessible. Imagine: a patient can upload a photo and receive recommendations within seconds, while the dentist receives structured information for decision-making before the appointment even begins.
On a global scale, this means one thing—medicine will become more personalized and preventive. The doctor will be able to spend more time communicating with the patient, while technology will handle the routine and analytics. For me, this is a future in which everyone benefits—patients, doctors, and the healthcare system as a whole.
You successfully passed the NBDHE and are registering for licensure in Florida. How have these achievements influenced your career and professional growth?
My biggest dream is to become a practicing dentist in the U.S. and eventually open my own clinic. I believe that a good doctor and leader must understand all processes from start to finish, which is why I started my journey by working as a dental assistant. This experience allowed me to see the practice from the inside and better understand what patients need.
To move forward, I decided to take the NBDHE first—it was a way to test myself, especially since I was working six days a week at the time. I was very happy to pass the exam on my first attempt, and this gave me confidence for the next steps. Now my next stage is obtaining licensure in Florida to work as a hygienist, and then enrolling in dental school. For me, this is a consistent path toward my dream and an opportunity to contribute to the development of dentistry here in the United States.
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