Dentist Couple Builds India’s First AI Health-Tech Platform That Improves Accuracy Of Medical Reports; 30x Cheaper Than Its American Competitors

In healthcare, trust is sacred. Yet, for Dr. Sanjeet Shanker, a seasoned and reputed dentist with over 12 years of experience, that trust was challenged during an unsettling interaction with a patient.

“A patient expressed dissatisfaction with my diagnosis and felt the treatment plan wasn’t in his best interest. That moment was a turning point. It made me question why there’s often such a gap between what doctors recommend and what patients perceive and expect,” recalls Dr. Shanker.

Dr. Shanker realized that this wasn’t just a singular personal experience—it was a challenge many of his colleagues faced regularly.

Misunderstandings and trust gaps between dentists and their patients have become a widespread issue, one that plagues the dental community at large.

From this moment of reflection, a transformative idea was born. Together with his wife and co-founder, Dr. Devanjali Soin, Dr. Shanker channelled his doubts into a solution.

Let’s explore the journey of Delhi-based health-tech startup BackupDoc.ai - which is more than just an AI-powered platform, it’s a big bold step toward bridging the divide in doctor-patient relationships and restoring trust in Indian healthcare.

The Backstory Of BackupDoc:

The story of BackupDoc began long before its formal launch in July 2024.

Born and raised in Mysore, Karnataka, Dr. Shanker was immersed in the world of medicine from an early age. Both his parents were well-known doctors in Mysore, and their unwavering dedication to patient care left a profound impression on him.

Across the country in Delhi, young Devanjali Soin was pursuing her dream of dentistry with equal fervour.

In 2010, fate brought them together at the dental school of Bangalore’s prestigious Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, where they quickly bonded over their shared passion for healthcare.

After graduating from dental school and gaining global experience in dentistry—from Toronto to Saudi Arabia—Dr. Shanker returned to India.

In 2015, he and Dr. Devanjali got married and founded White Dental Healthcare, their private practice in the Indirapuram neighbourhood of Ghaziabad - a thriving city in the Delhi-NCR region.

But even as they built a thriving clinic, a lingering problem pierced them: the general mistrust many patients harboured toward doctors.

The breaking point came in 2023 when that fateful negative feedback forced Dr. Shanker to confront the system's cracks and address the root of the problem.

Reimagining Healthcare With AI-Powered Innovation:

The couple envisioned a solution that could eliminate bias from medical diagnostics.

The result was BackupDoc.ai, an AI-powered platform that uses advanced machine learning and computer vision to enhance medical diagnostics.

“We wanted to create an objective and unbiased tech platform that could create a bridge of trust between doctors and patients,” says Dr. Sanjeet Shanker, the co-founder & CEO of BackupDoc, during an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia.

Here’s how it works:-

The software processes a patient’s X-ray, detecting even the subtlest anomalies that might escape the human eye.

The AI-powered algorithm then provides an objective report, empowering dentists to deliver care with greater confidence and transparency.

In other words, by analysing X-rays with unparalleled precision, the platform’s patented algorithm generates detailed, colour-coded outputs that help dentists create more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.

“Trust isn’t just earned—it’s engineered, and BackupDoc does just that. It gives doctors a tool to back their expertise with irrefutable evidence,” Dr. Devanjali Soin, the co-founder & COO of BackupDoc, shares with Startup Pedia.

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Building Bridges In The Medical Ecosystem & Solving Early Challenges:

BackupDoc’s innovation couldn’t have come at a better time. The Indian medical industry has long struggled with patient mistrust—a problem exacerbated by the subjective nature of diagnostics. For dentists, this issue is particularly acute.

Since its launch, BackupDoc has already gained over 20 paying clients and processed more than 3,000 X-rays. The platform’s B2B SaaS model is tailored for doctors, ensuring that its insights are fully understood and actionable.

“The overall feedback has been incredible and very encouraging. Doctors tell us that they can now communicate more effectively with patients about their health issues, thanks to the objectivity that our platform provides,” shares Dr. Shanker.

Despite its early success, the journey to launching BackupDoc wasn’t without hurdles.

Initially, the couple planned to make the platform available directly to patients. However, early testing revealed a critical flaw in the patient-centric model: patients found it difficult to interpret complex medical reports generated by the AI-powered software.

This challenge forced a pivot to a doctor-centric model. It was a risky decision for the founders, but one that paid off. By focusing on dentists as the primary users, BackupDoc not only simplified its operations but also amplified its impact.

“It was a steep learning curve. But listening to end-user feedback was key. It’s what shaped BackupDoc into the powerful tool it is today,” says Dr. Devanjali to Startup Pedia.

The Present And The Future:

Unlike many in the Indian startup ecosystem, BackupDoc prides itself on being entirely bootstrapped. With just ₹40 lakhs (approximately $47,000) in development costs, the platform has achieved what its American competitors built at 30 times the amount.

“We’re proof that innovation does not have to come with a hefty price tag. Starting at just ₹1,000, BackupDoc’s subscription model makes it accessible to dentists across India, ensuring widespread adoption,” Dr. Shanker states proudly to Startup Pedia.

This cost-efficiency also positions BackupDoc as a uniquely Indian solution—a health-tech platform built by dentists, for dentists, addressing local challenges in a way that global players cannot.

Amidst all this success, the founders are not stopping at dentistry. Their ambitious roadmap includes expanding BackupDoc’s AI capabilities to other specialties such as orthopaedics, dermatology, and cardiology.

The dentist duo is also developing EpikDoc, an integrated practice management software (PMS) designed to streamline clinic operations, connect patients to doctors, and maintain electronic health records (EHR) of patients.

“EpikDoc will be integrated into BackupDoc and help scale it to an entirely new level. From patient management to diagnostics and managing administrative tasks, EpikDoc will transform how clinics operate in India,” explains Dr. Devanjali.

BackupDoc’s Journey Till Now:

BackupDoc’s rise comes at a time when the Indian health-tech sector is on the brink of explosive growth. According to industry projections, AI in healthcare in India is expected to reach $17.75 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.5%.

BackupDoc’s unique blend of affordability and cutting-edge technology positions it as a frontrunner in this booming market. However, the founders recognise the need for external support to achieve their ambitious goals of growth and expansion.

“We’re open to partnerships and funding opportunities. We would like to align with people who share our vision and passion for rebuilding trust in healthcare in India,” says Dr. Shanker.

In a medical industry often criticised for its opacity, BackupDoc is a breath of fresh air. By combining AI innovation with a deep understanding of patient needs, this Delhi startup is proving that technology can truly be a force for good.

As India’s healthcare landscape evolves, one thing is certain: this dentist husband-wife duo is just getting started.

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