#13 – Denise Marks, CareQuest Institute of Oral Health & John T. McDevitt, OraLiva

Oral Cancer: A Silent but Deadly Threat

Oral cavity cancer remains one of the deadliest and most expensive cancers to treat. Despite advancements in medical research, oral cancer continues to have poor survival rates due to late-stage diagnosis. OraLiva, a cutting-edge diagnostic company, is determined to change this by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for early detection.

Dr. John T. McDevitt, founder of OraLiva, joined the conversation to discuss the company’s mission to identify precancerous conditions earlier than ever before. Using an AI-powered cytosignature, OraLiva’s device can detect cellular abnormalities, enabling early diagnosis and potentially life-saving interventions.

Why Has Oral Health Been Overlooked?

Despite growing awareness of the connection between oral health and overall health, oral health has long been an overlooked aspect of medical care. Denise Marks of the CareQuest Institute of Oral Health highlighted how efforts are being made to integrate oral health into broader healthcare conversations.

Some key challenges include:

• Lack of dedicated insurance codes for diagnosing oral cancers in the dental setting.
• Segregation between medical and dental fields, making integration difficult.
• Different reimbursement models, causing misalignment in priorities between doctors and dentists.

However, organizations like CareQuest Institute and initiatives such as the SMILE Innovation Program are working to bridge this gap by fostering collaboration between startups and industry leaders.

The Role of AI in Early Cancer Detection

AI is revolutionizing early cancer detection by providing more accurate and consistent diagnostic results. During a four-year international clinical study, OraLiva analyzed 13 million cells to develop an advanced AI model. The findings revealed a significant 70% disagreement among top oral pathologists regarding mild dysplasia (a precursor to oral cancer).

OraLiva tackled this challenge by using crowdsourcing strategies and AI-based analysis to create an objective diagnostic standard, helping clinicians make more accurate assessments.

Making AI-Powered Diagnostics Accessible

Access to early detection tools is critical, but insurance coverage remains a hurdle. OraLiva is actively working to partner with insurance providers and integrate its technology into dental support organizations, federally qualified health centers, and telemedicine platforms.

Dr. McDevitt envisions a future where AI-powered diagnostics are as commonplace as cervical cancer screenings, making oral cancer detection routine and accessible.

The Investment Landscape for Oral Health Startups

The investment in oral health startups is growing, with over $400 million invested in 2024. As more mainstream healthcare investors recognize the opportunities in dental health, funding is shifting toward preventative solutions, early diagnostics, and AI-powered tools.

Denise Marks believes that by 2025, investment in oral health will expand significantly, paving the way for better integration of medical and dental care.

What’s Next for OraLiva?

OraLiva’s AI-powered diagnostic tool is set to launch in the summer of 2025. With partnerships, including one with Delta Dental of Michigan, the company aims to scale access to its life-saving early detection technology.

As the healthcare industry moves toward prevention and early diagnosis, OraLiva’s innovative approach has the potential to redefine oral cancer screening and improve patient outcomes worldwide.

Final Thoughts

The collaboration between OraLiva and CareQuest Institute marks a significant step toward a future where oral cancer is detected early, treated effectively, and ultimately prevented. With AI-driven diagnostics, better integration between dental and medical care, and increased investment, the landscape of oral health is evolving rapidly.