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A chewable vitamin gummy could help people with dementia to keep their teeth clean without needing a toothbrush.
The product, Dentablue, was developed by Molly Baldini, a former NHS dementia service manager in Hertfordshire, after seeing how distressing and time-consuming oral care can be for those with dementia and their carers.
Dementia can make everyday grooming tasks such as brushing teeth or hair difficult because the brain struggles to process multi-step sequences, recognise familiar tools or co-ordinate physical movements.
‘I saw it was causing so much distress for carers trying to brush a person with dementia’s teeth that it got pushed aside for other priorities like nutrition and hydration, and carers were left feeling they hadn’t quite done their job,’ says Ms Baldini.
‘People with dementia were going without oral care and I was angry there was no alternative – I felt I had to create something.’
Dentablue, developed through Alzheimer’s Society’s innovation programme, will be launched at the end of the month. The peppermint-flavoured gummy can be chewed and swallowed in seconds.
Dementia can make everyday grooming tasks difficult because the brain struggles to process multi-step sequences, recognise familiar tools or co-ordinate physical movements
They can be taken twice a day and contain vitamins C and D to help maintain healthy teeth and gums – and are sugar-free.
They will cost £16.99 a month for a pack of 28 via the company’s website or Alzheimer’s Society’s online shop.
Natasha Howard Murray, innovation programme manager at Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Dentablue is a great example of how practical innovations can help tackle some of the everyday challenges of dementia.
‘It can take around 15 minutes to support someone living with dementia to brush their teeth – a level of support that can be really difficult given staffing pressures.
‘For some with dementia, tooth brushing and mouthwash can sometimes become confusing, uncomfortable or distressing.
‘Dentablue offers another option and can help people maintain good oral health while reducing distress, as well as easing pressure on carers, freeing up time for other aspects of care.’
