DentaPal: Your Guide to Navigating Dental Care

Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
Our core UX challenge was pinpointing how best to motivate individuals grappling with dental discomfort to take charge of their oral health. This journey—from initial concern to proactive patient—is complex and multifaceted. We needed to address not just the physical symptoms, but also the anxieties, fears, and even social stigmas that can hinder someone from seeking care.

Our goal was to empower users with knowledge, guiding them towards informed decisions without overwhelming them. This meant striking a delicate balance: addressing their cognitive, emotional, and action-oriented needs, all while respecting the crucial role of dental professionals. DentaPal is designed as a supportive companion, not a replacement for the dentist's chair.

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
Initially, we were overly ambitious, attempting to tackle every aspect of the dental experience. During our first user testing session, users couldn't connect with features like bill evaluation and treatment plan comparisons. This taught us a valuable lesson: we need to prioritize core functionalities to truly address the user group we’re targeting.

Our “aha!” moment arrived when we recognized the power of a strong first impression and a clear entry point. We shifted our focus to the symptom evaluator, meticulously crafting an experience that would captivate users and set them on a path toward better oral health. This strategic decision clarified our purpose and led to a more impactful user journey.

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
In the next five years, we envision DentaPal becoming an indispensable companion for anyone navigating their dental health. Imagine a world where seeking dental care is no longer daunting, but a journey guided by knowledge, support, and personalized attention.

We will focus on building our oral health knowledge base, providing key information in accessible ways. Think about content that offers insights through conversations, instructional videos, and support articles, all at your fingertip.

Meanwhile, we aim to collaborate with 500+ dental clinics, integrating DentaPal into their practices to enhance communication and improve patient care. We will enable secure record-sharing to further simplify the care process outside the clinic.