DrSmile
TypeGmbH
IndustryDental
Founded2016
FounderJens Urbaniak, Christopher von Wedemeyer
HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
Area served
Germany
ProductsInvisible Aligners for teeth
Number of employees
500 (2022)
ParentUrban Technology GmbH
Websitehttps://www.drsmile.de/

DrSmile is a dentistry brand by German startup Urban Technology GmbH based in Berlin.

History

DrSmile was founded in 2016 in Berlin by Jens Urbaniak and Christopher von Wedemeyer. Urbaniak worked for Rocket Internet and is a co-founder of Go Butler, and von Wedemeyer previously worked as an analyst.[1] In July 2020, it was announced that Swiss dental implant manufacturer Straumann bought a majority stake in the start-up and secured an option on the remaining shares.[2] In May 2022, DrSmile acquired PlusDental for €131 million.[3]

Company

DrSmile has locations in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart and Hannover.[4] The company works with a partner network of dentists and orthodontists.[1]

Treatment

DrSmile focuses on aesthetic dental treatments with invisible aligners that correct minor and medium malpositions of teeth.[1][5] Aligners are produced using 3D printer technology.[6][7][8]

Controversy

DrSmile, along with similar companies, has faced criticism from some dental professionals due to concerns about the lack of medical consultation and examination.[9] In particular, criticism has been directed at concepts where patients take impressions of their teeth at home without direct supervision from a dentist. While DrSmile asserts that it collaborates with dentists and orthodontists, and distances itself from procedures that do not involve professional medical consultation, there have been legal challenges regarding the thoroughness of the examination process.[10][6] In 2019, a German court ruled that certain dental standards were not met.[11] The company is currently under investigation by Polish authorities after numerous customers in Poland reported experiencing serious dental issues following the use of aligners.[12] Allegations against the company include accusations of illegal business practices, inadequate medical supervision, and customer deception.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "DrSmile: Diese Gründer wollen mit schönen Zähnen Geld verdienen". www.handelsblatt.com (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-17.
  2. ↑ "Die aktuellen Nachrichten vom 9. Juli 2020". Gründerszene Magazin (in German). 2020-07-09. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  3. ↑ "Dr.Smile-Mutter Straumann kauft gescheitertes Unicorn PlusDental - nilo.health bekommt 8 Millionen". deutsche-startups.de (in German). 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  4. ↑ "Nie mehr "Knutschbremse"". Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  5. ↑ "Invisalign vs Emirates Smiles® Invisible Braces". EmiratesSmiles®. 2022-05-25. Retrieved 2022-06-19.
  6. 1 2 Rautenberg, Charlene (2019-02-18). ""Dr. Smile" will die Zahnmedizin digitalisieren". www.morgenpost.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  7. ↑ "Schöne Zähne per Post". zm-online (in German). Retrieved 2019-06-17.
  8. ↑ Hellner, Clara (2018-09-27). "Zahnschiene: Perfektes Lächeln selbst gemacht". Die Zeit (in German). ISSN 0044-2070. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
  9. ↑ "ZEIT ONLINE | Lesen Sie zeit.de mit Werbung oder im PUR-Abo. Sie haben die Wahl". www.zeit.de. Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  10. ↑ "Zahnschienen-Hersteller: Smile Direct Club kommt mit Foto-Behandlung nach Deutschland". www.handelsblatt.com (in German). Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  11. ↑ "Gericht bestätigt: Standard einer KFO-Behandlung ist bei DrSmile nicht gegeben". Das News-Portal der Zahnärztlichen Mitteilungen (in German). 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  12. ↑ "Tysiące osób w grupie "Oszukani przez Dr Smile". Ostrzegają przed ukrytym napisem". Onet Wiadomości (in Polish). 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  13. ↑ Kośka, Martyna (2023-03-31). "Szczerbaty uśmiech Dr Smile. Pacjenci piszą do UOKiK i szukają prawników, firma zapewnia, że nie naruszała prawa". Biznes Wprost (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-05-12.
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