Dundee's 3D is all smiles after Indian dental deal

DENTAL technology firm 3D Diagnostic Imaging is poised to take a bite out of the Indian market after signing a distribution deal for its lead product.

The CarieScan tooth decay detector made by the Dundee-based company will be marketed by Mumbai-based Analytical and Medical Technologies (AMT).

The deal comes just a week after Aim-quoted 3D signed up Wisdom International Medical Science and Technology to sell the device in China, with distributors already in place for North America and parts of Europe.

About 27,000 dentists are expected to qualify each year in India - equal to the total number of practitioners in the UK.

AMT - which has 40 staff in nine regional offices and uses a network of 28 dealers - will work with the 270 dental colleges on the sub-continent to train dentists to use the device.

Anil Ramachandran, AMT's director, said: "The expansion of dental care in India is dramatic and we believe that the demand for improved diagnosis of dental diseases in India will be a part of this development.

"We are certain that CarieScan will be well received by both patients and clinicians as more preventive treatment programmes are offered."

3D chief executive Graham Lay added: "Potential for growth within the Indian market is believed to be significant.

"Discussions with potential distribution partners in other territories are on-going and we look forward to making further announcements in due course."

House broker FinnCap last week said that 3D was also in discussions to sell CarieScan in Japan and South Korea.

Analyst Keith Redpath said that increasing the reach of the distribution network was key to accelerating sales growth.