By Danielle 
Dental startups this week secured more than $24 million in funding, with investors betting on innovation that could transform both patient care and industry administration.
California-based ZERObrush raised $10.8 million to advance what it calls the world’s first fully automated, custom-fit oral cleaning device designed to replace the traditional toothbrush. The health technology company, founded by cosmetic dentist Dr. Nidhi Pai, says its patented device can deliver a “dentist-level clean” in just 30 seconds.
Clinical findings suggest ZERObrush removed nearly twice as much plaque as a manual toothbrush in half the time and was up to five times more effective at cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as the backs of teeth and along the gumline. Early users also reported reduced gum inflammation and bleeding.
“Despite diligent brushing, millions of people still suffer from gum disease and tooth decay because traditional toothbrushes simply cannot reach all the surfaces that matter,” Dr. Pai said in the company’s announcement. “By combining cutting-edge technology with personalized care, we are redefining what it means to clean your teeth—making it effortless, efficient, and far more effective.”
The Series A round included investments from Large CPG Strategic, Social Capital, several angel investors, and a senior executive from Meta. ZERObrush plans a commercial launch in 2026.
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Boston startup targets inefficiencies
Meanwhile in Boston, LightSpun (formerly 32Health) raised $13 million in Series A funding led by Brewer Lane, with Virtue, Cambrian, and Industry Ventures also participating. The company’s total funding now stands at $18 million.
LightSpun’s AI-powered dental insurance administration platform tackles long-standing inefficiencies in the sector. Nearly 300 million Americans rely on dental insurance, yet claims can take 15 to 60 days to process, with one in seven still filed by paper or fax. Roughly 18 per cent of every premium dollar is lost to administrative overhead.
By automating claims adjudication, benefits management, and provider onboarding, LightSpun says it can cut administrative costs in half, process more than 90 per cent of claims automatically, and reduce provider credentialing timelines from up to two months to under a week.
“Dental insurance runs on infrastructure that most businesses abandoned decades ago,” said Rohan Malhotra, general partner at Brewer Lane. “That’s why it’s ripe for automation, and why AI can meaningfully reshape industry economics and the experience for providers and patients.”
LightSpun has also partnered with the American Dental Association to launch AI-driven credentialing nationwide, aiming to simplify access for dental practices and patients alike.
Related: U.S. dental association launches AI service to speed up credentialing