5 Q’s for Wardah Inam, CEO of Overjet – Center for Data Innovation

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5 Q’s for Wardah Inam, CEO of Overjet – Center for Data Innovation

The Center for Data Innovation spoke with Wardah Inam, CEO of Overjet, a Boston-based company that offers an AI-powered dental imaging analysis platform. Inam discussed how the platform aids dental professionals in detecting oral diseases with greater accuracy, standardizing diagnoses, and improving how dentists communicate findings to patients.

Martin Makaryan: What does Overjet’s platform offer?

Wardah Inam: Overjet helps the dental industry address inefficiencies while improving patient communication. Our AI-powered platform analyzes dental X-rays with remarkable precision, assisting dentists in detecting conditions such as cavities, bone loss, and periodontal disease. By annotating images in real-time, our software highlights key issues directly on the X-ray, allowing dentists to visually explain diagnoses with greater clarity and precision—helping patients better understand their treatment options.

Many people don’t realize that communicating a dental diagnosis is one of the biggest challenges in the industry. Patients dismiss nearly half of the treatment recommendations they receive, often due to confusion or lack of understanding. Ensuring clear, seamless communication is a priority not just for dental offices but also for insurance providers, as it directly impacts care outcomes and claims processing.

This is where Overjet makes a real difference. Our platform integrates seamlessly with dental practice management systems, streamlining workflows and improving the accuracy and speed of insurance claims. By bridging the gap between clinical expertise and patient understanding, Overjet is helping to set a new standard in dental healthcare.

Makaryan: What was the inspiration for Overjet?

Inam: The idea for Overjet stemmed from my own experience as a dental patient. Each time I switched dentists, I received different diagnoses and treatment plans, which made me question the consistency of dental assessments. It felt more like an art than a science. With my background in technology and AI, I saw an opportunity to bring greater precision and reliability to dental diagnostics—using AI to make diagnoses more accurate, consistent, and easier to understand for both patients and insurers.

Makaryan: What challenges did you face in developing the AI models powering Overjet?

Inam: Developing the AI models for Overjet came with several challenges, particularly in ensuring the accuracy and reliability required in clinical environments. Building a demo is one thing—creating models that consistently deliver value in real-world dental workflows is another. A key hurdle was generating high-quality, objective data inputs, which meant training human dentists to accurately annotate dental images for model training. Beyond accuracy, scaling the technology to process hundreds of millions of images annually while integrating seamlessly into existing dental practices required extensive iteration and optimization.

Makaryan: What has been your biggest reward as an innovator? 

Inam: I often say I have both the best and hardest job at Overjet because I’m shaping not just the company’s trajectory, but also its impact. Knowing that our AI platform is improving the oral health of millions of patients is incredibly humbling. But beyond the technology itself, the most rewarding experience has been building a high-performing team. By setting a high bar for quality and staying focused on what’s best for patients, we’ve fostered a culture of innovation and accountability. Seeing the team’s dedication and the tangible impact of our collective work makes every challenge worthwhile.

Makaryan: What upcoming capability at Overjet are you most excited about?

Inam: We are launching real-time pre-treatment estimates this year, a first for the industry. This feature will give patients immediate clarity on insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs while they’re still in the chair, eliminating surprise bills and improving trust in dental care.

Looking ahead, our vision is to be the AI partner for dental organizations, addressing all their AI needs. By breaking down data silos and analyzing key data points across workflows, we aim to build a unified system that enhances efficiency and improves patient outcomes. We believe the future of dentistry lies in AI-driven, personalized care at scale, transforming the patient experience while enabling providers to deliver better, more precise treatment.

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