The Brush DJ app has won funding from the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) to help tackle the growing problem of tooth decay in children
SBRI Healthcare has awarded £1.25 million to help fund the development of 13 separate innovations relating to musculoskeletal disorder and dentistry, oral health and oral cancers.
The pioneering projects were discovered through a nationwide call by SBRI Healthcare earlier this year for innovations to tackle healthcare problems in these fields.
SBRI Healthcare works with businesses to identify, co-create and develop innovative health tech solutions for the NHS by launching a series of competitions geared around solving specific healthcare challenges.
The most recent competition in July 2018 called for innovations to tackle musculoskeletal disorders and improve oral health.
Innovations that came to the fore as part of this competition call and that can now benefit from the £1.25m funding range from AI-based smartphone apps and virtual reality programmes, to technologies designed to improve the diagnosis, surgical outcomes and pain relief related to oral cancers.
Poor oral hygiene costs NHS £50 million a year
Karen Livingstone, national director of SBRI Healthcare, commented: ‘Recent reports estimate that poor oral hygiene and preventable tooth decay could be costing the NHS as much as £50 million a year.
‘The range and calibre of responses we received to our competition highlight the significant role that technology can play in delivering cutting edge prevention and treatment services in these fields. ‘
DJ, the free toothbrush timer app was awarded £83,330.
Brush DJ is a free toothbrush timer app that plays two minutes of music taken from the user’s device to encourage brushing for an effective length of time. The app also allows users to set reminders to brush twice a day, floss, use mouthwash and when next to see their dentist.
Helping more children
Ben Underwood, CEO of Brush DJ Ltd said: ‘It is amazing to have not only this financial support and recognition, but, critically, access to the expertise of SBRI and its partners.’
‘Having been part of the NHS Innovation Accelerator programme, I understand that in order to scale an innovation and gain widespread adoption, we will need champions from within all areas of healthcare.
‘This award will allow us to take Brush DJ to the next level by recruiting a team of experts so that we can reach and help more children at risk of tooth decay.’
Brush DJ: www.brushdj.com
SBRI Healthcare www.sbrihealthcare.co.uk
