Technology

Posted on June 8, 2018 by staff

UK dental entrepreneur takes AR tool to Silicon Valley

Technology

Tech-savvy dental students will soon have access to a brand-new 3D visual learning tool which uses augmented reality and computer animation.

The visual learning platform, DigiDentistry, is due to launch later this month.

It has been developed by dental nurse turned entrepreneur Chloe Barrett.

She has now been invited to Silicon Valley to take part in an intensive two-week accelerator programme for women launching tech start-ups.

“There really wasn’t anything out there that students could use to continue their learning from home after they left the classroom and I wanted to create something that would support more practical learning,” said Barrett.

“I took my vison to a number of developers and eventually found one in Manchester who understood what I was trying to achieve and we began to develop a prototype.

“There was a lot of uncertainty along the way but, eventually, DigiDentistry began to take shape so I left the Academy to pursue the business full time and I’m really excited about the future.”

The 28-year-old came up with the idea three years ago and has since created a prototype with a developer, completed an incubator course and workshops, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and carried out usability testing.

Prior to starting the business, Barrett was offered the chance to become an assessor and teacher at dental academy.

On learning that it would shut down Barrett, then age 24, took on the challenge of rebuilding it and successfully set up five new bases and introduced new apprenticeships and post graduate courses.

“Rescuing the dental academy was a huge achievement and an incredible journey,” she said.

“I learnt so much from this experience as I treated it like my own company and built it up from practically nothing.

“Once I got the Academy up and running, I started thinking about starting my own business and I could see there was a real gap in the market for better, more visual, training resources.”

Barrett started her business from The Landing, MediaCityUK’s dedicated technology incubator hub and co-working space.