Wally, a nationwide oral care platform, has raised US$25 million in Series A funding to expand its preventive dentistry model across the United States. The round was led by Maveron with participation from Bling Capital and angel investors including Jack Abraham, co-founder of Hims. The company simultaneously announced a strategic partnership with EMS Dental, the developer of advanced dental cleaning technology.
A System Built Around Treatment
The U.S. dental market is shaped by an insurance model that produces low rates of routine care, with only 40% of American adults visiting a dentist each year. More than 80% of people say they want additional dental care but avoid it because of financial complexity and physical discomfort. Wally contends that insurance rules and private equity ownership push practices to maximize reimbursements rather than patient satisfaction, often resulting in rushed visits and invasive procedures.
A Transparent Membership Alternative
Wally replaces reactive dental appointments with an AI-powered clinical platform designed around prevention and transparent pricing. Members pay US$249 per year for unlimited cleanings and professional whitening, advanced diagnostics with AI-driven insights, and access to proactive treatments that can be up to 75% more affordable. The company builds its locations in co-working spaces, which allows for faster and more convenient visits, and currently operates 15 locations in New York City, Philadelphia, Jersey City, and Chicago.
Clinical Technology and Member Satisfaction
The platform uses Guided Biofilm Therapy to eliminate harmful biofilm and stain-causing bacteria without painful metal scraping, according to the company. Its AI-powered diagnostics include digital X-rays, 3D intraoral scans, saliva testing, and visual health data, while non-invasive cavity reversal aims to stop early-stage decay before fillings are needed. Wally reports more than 50,000 members who visit three times per year on average and give the platform a 4.9 star rating, alongside a 97% hygienist retention rate.
Customer Feedback and Trust
Customer response has been strongly positive, with members highlighting comfort and clear communication as differentiators. One member, Natasha S, described Wally as the best dental experience she has ever had, citing the team's focus on dental history, patient concerns, and thorough explanations of procedures. Wally's model aims to make routine dental care more educational and less stressful rather than a high-cost transaction.
Investor Confidence and Leadership
Maveron Partner Jason Stoffer said Wally combines pain-free cleanings in half the time with a single AI-driven platform that manages scheduling, operations, and clinical guidance for every appointment. He added that dentistry has lacked a consumer brand people actually like, and Wally's hardware, diagnostics, and AI make the model durable. Wally was founded by entrepreneur Tyler Burnett, engineer Stipe Latkovic, and consumer experience expert Chelsea Patel.
National Expansion and Hiring
With the new capital, Wally plans to bring its subscription oral care model to Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Austin, and Miami, where waitlists are already being established. The company aims to grow from 15 to 100 locations by the end of 2027. To support this expansion, Wally is hiring clinicians and operational leaders who will use its proprietary AI platform to deliver preventive oral care.
Wally's Series A funding and EMS Dental partnership position the company to scale a prevention-first alternative in a sector still dominated by insurance-driven care. Its subscription model, AI-based diagnostics, and expanding network address the cost and discomfort barriers that keep many adults away from routine dentistry. As Wally moves toward 100 locations, its growth will test whether a membership approach can reshape how consumers access and experience oral health care.