User-centric co-design for effective toothbrushing adherence
This innovative approach promotes adherence to effective toothbrushing using fluoridated toothpaste by leveraging design thinking and user-centric methods. The solution addresses emotional and social barriers, enhancing market and public health impact.
Overview
This solution offers a user-centric approach to improving adherence to effective toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste (TFT). By addressing emotional and social barriers through co-design and design thinking methodologies, this approach promises to enhance dental health outcomes. The 'squish gripper' prototype is a soothing tool designed to mitigate emotional factors that hinder proper brushing habits. This innovation is aligned with the national oral health guidelines in England, aiming to optimize brushing techniques and prevent dental caries effectively.
Technical specifications
- Design Thinking Process: Utilizes a five-stage process: Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test, ensuring thorough exploration of user needs and solutions.
- Behavioural Techniques: Incorporates evidence-based behavioural methods to align with known drivers that affect TFT adherence.
- Prototyping: Involves co-design with users to create solutions that meet market needs and public health benefits.
- Market Analysis: Includes competitor analysis and a soft market launch to evaluate the solution's impact and feasibility.
Technology readiness level
The project is currently at TRL 3, indicating active research and prototyping phases. The solution is being tested in collaboration with public and community participants in the West Midlands, with plans for further development and market introduction.
About University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a comprehensive public research university of significant scale in the UK’s second city. For industry, a campus‑adjacent research park provides office and wet‑lab space, including the BioHub biomedical incubator managed by University of Birmingham Enterprise. Clinical collaboration is enabled through Birmingham Health Partners, aligning the university with NHS hospital trusts for translational studies and access to patient pathways. Energy and sustainability ventures tap the Birmingham Energy Innovation Centre and wider facilities at Tyseley Energy Park, creating a proving ground for low‑carbon technologies and scale‑up. Research is backed by competitive UK funding, including UKRI councils, Innovate UK, and NIHR, and a dedicated tech transfer office manages IP, licensing, and spinouts to speed corporate partnerships.
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