Can you tell us where SmileDirectClub ' s story began ? What led to its inception ?

The SmileDirectClub story began in 2014 with a clear mission : to make premium oral care affordable and convenient for everyone . Since then , we have helped over 2 million individuals improve their smiles using our pioneering telehealth platform for orthodontia .

Our goal is to bridge the gap in orthodontic care by addressing the barriers of convenience and cost that often limit access to orthodontic care , recognising that approximately 85 % of people worldwide could benefit from treatment . By doing so , we aim to make orthodontic treatment more accessible and affordable for all .

At SmileDirectClub , we combine corporate excellence with a personalised approach . Our telehealth platform and dedicated team of professionals ensure a seamless and transformative journey towards a confident smile . We leverage state-of-the-art technology to provide exceptional oral care experiences that positively impact lives .

What happened in your career before that point ?

Before joining SmileDirectClub , I had an impactful journey through various mission-driven companies and projects . My career began with TOMS Shoes , where I was an integral part of its early team . I played a pivotal role in driving the expansion of the company ’ s digital technology and e-commerce sectors . Through my efforts , I helped scale the business and successfully took it internationally .

After my time at TOMS Shoes , I transitioned to the Monterey Bay Aquarium , contributing to its mission to inspire the conservation of the ocean . I then had the privilege of working at Adidas , where my focus was on uniting the world through sport . The common thread throughout my career has been a dedication to helping people and making a positive impact .

What does a day-to-day look like at SmileDirectClub for you ?

At SmileDirectClub , my day-to-day experience is incredibly dynamic and ever-evolving . Currently , my focus revolves around driving innovation within the orthodontic field through technology . We are actively working on implementing our AI-driven technology for our customers , a significant step in our journey . Each day involves a substantial amount of learning , as we seek ways to effectively integrate feedback and utilise this technology to fuel our next wave of innovations .

Much of my time is spent on executing deliverables and strategies that contribute to the overall success of the company . Our primary objective is to ensure positive patient outcomes , and this aligns closely with our dedication to exploring new Atificial Intelligence and future technologies that can enhance these outcomes even further .

How has SmileDirectClub grown as a company , or even a community since starting in 2014 ?

Since our founding in 2014 , we have grown to become an international leader in oral care with over 2 million customers worldwide and we achieved a significant milestone in 2019 by becoming publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange . Since then , we have expanded our offerings across all the countries we operate in including US , Canada , Australia , the UK and Ireland .

Within the US , we have extended our oral care products across major retail outlets and introduced the Partner Network which is a direct-to-office service which allows customers to start their treatment journey through a dental practice .

Where did the idea of the SmileMaker platform come from ? How did you choose which technology to use within the app ?

The inception of the SmileMaker platform stemmed from SmileDirectClub ' s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation in oral care technology . Initially piloted in Australia , the platform underwent significant enhancements based on valuable market insights . Its unique technology , capable of generating 3D models of teeth , earned recognition from the U . S . Patent and Trademark Office , resulting in patent issuance .

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